Local MP, Selaine Saxby has joined MPs across Westminster to support International Women’s Day, focusing on the importance of women and girls in politics and promoting inclusion.
This year, International Women’s Day is centred around tackling all forms of discrimination and taking a zero tolerance policy on misogyny and abuse, ensuring no women in politics is subjected to sexist treatment. This is to promote and encourage women’s important involvement in government and politics.
To show support for this year’s International Women’s Day event, Selaine signed the pledge by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Women in Parliament that takes a zero tolerance policy on all kinds of misogyny and discrimination. To combat abuse women in politics face, this pledge highlights how nobody should be forced to face these kinds of attacks.
Since 2010, the number of women in employment has increased from 13,616,000 to 16,065,000 at the end of last year. Additionally, Women’s board representation increased by nearly three per cent last year across the FTSE 350, with a third of all leadership roles in FTSE companies held by women. As well as this, there has been an introduction of thirty hours of free childcare per week for children from 9 months to 4 years, worth £6,500 per year per child from 2025, supporting more women return to work after having children.
To acknowledge vital steps taken by this Government, the Conservatives have elevated violence against women and girls to a crime type that policing leaders must treat as a national threat. They have also launched the Tackling Domestic Abuse Plan and the Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy. In 2022 they committed over £230 million over three years to the Tackling Domestic Abuse Plan.
Additionally, they have put £125 million worth of funding into practical measures like street lighting to ensure women and girls feel safer at night. Through the Safer Street Fund and Safety of Women at Night Fund, they have invested £125 million to deliver support for women and girls across our communities. The Government have set up the UK’s first ever government funded 24/7 support service for victims of rape. And finally, further protecting women and girls through the Online Safety Act, delivering on the commitment to better shield people from harmful content online.
Even though women make up over half the UK’s population, they only make up 34% of The House of Commons so it is vital this figure is increased. Selaine is the 529th female MP to be sworn into the Houses of Parliament, and the first female MP to represent North Devon.
Not only does this day outline a stance against discrimination, but importantly, it also recognises and celebrates inspirational women everywhere. This is why the Conservatives and Selaine are asking for nominations to recognise North Devon’s inspirational women. To nominate a woman in North Devon please email [email protected].
Selaine Saxby MP for North Devon said:
“International Women’s Day is a crucial opportunity to inspire the upcoming generation of girls and young women to have the confidence to pursue their ambitions, whatever they might be. As the first female MP for North Devon and the 529th female MP to be sworn into the Houses of Parliament, it is especially important to me that women and girls across the country feel inspired to pursue a career in politics and public service. There are brilliant organisations such as 50:50 Parliament and Women2Win who are there to support women in this field. If you are a woman in North Devon looking to pursue a career in public service, it is something I have loved being a part of and I hope that you will too.”
