Press Release Contact: Ashok Viswanathan
TO NEWS/POLITICAL DESKS 0208 983 5426 or 07725 945 877
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Operation Black Vote & Government Equalities Office BAME Women Councillor Shadowing Scheme
Political Scheme Makes History for BAME Women
Women from black and minority ethnic (BAME) communities who became local councillors thanks to a ground-breaking scheme will be honoured at a House of Commons reception on Monday (14 June).
Equalities Minister Lynne Featherstone and Race Equalities Minister Andrew Stunell will meet women who took part in the scheme, which was launched last year by Operation Black Vote and the Government Equalities Office. It paired BAME women with local councillors to help demystify the role of councillors and encourage people from more diverse background to engage with their councils.
60 women took part in the scheme and 15 were so inspired that they stood for election in the 6 May poll, four of them winning seats. Many the women who took part in the scheme will be at the event, along with some of their councillor mentors.
Equalities Minister Lynne Featherstone and Race Equalities Minister Andrew Stunell will give the keynote address, along with Operation Black Vote Director Simon Woolley. This will be followed by a photo opportunity and refreshments.
The event, hosted jointly by the Government Equalities Office and Operation Black Vote, will be held on Monday 14 June at the House of Commons, Terrace Room, Terrace Pavilion, Westminster. Arrivals are expected from 3.30pm to allow for the security clearance, and the event is due to end by 6pm.
Lynne Featherstone, Minister for Equalities said:
“BAME women make more than 5% of the population but less than 1% of councillors. Our democracy is supposed to be representative, rooted in the community. It won’t be representative until more women like these are at the heart of decision making at a local and national level. We need all sections of society represented in politics so we can get decisions that can have a real effect on everyone.
“These new Councillors do not just want change; they have put themselves forward to make change happen. They are role models for equality – bringing a voice to decision making that has been missing for too long.”
Francine Fernandes, OBV Head of Shadowing Schemes said: “The women have blazed a trail of political success. Within a very short period of time, they have moved from political bystanders to political leaders. Their collective journeys and achievements starkly demonstrate the wealth of talent within BAME communities and defy stereotypes about women, and particularly BAME women. OBV are particularly pleased that so many of the participants put themselves forward as candidates and are now local Cllrs. We celebrate their entrance into public life and commend the positive contributions which they are making to their local communities. “
TO NEWS/POLITICAL DESKS 0208 983 5426 or 07725 945 877
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Operation Black Vote & Government Equalities Office BAME Women Councillor Shadowing Scheme
Political Scheme Makes History for BAME Women
Women from black and minority ethnic (BAME) communities who became local councillors thanks to a ground-breaking scheme will be honoured at a House of Commons reception on Monday (14 June).
Equalities Minister Lynne Featherstone and Race Equalities Minister Andrew Stunell will meet women who took part in the scheme, which was launched last year by Operation Black Vote and the Government Equalities Office. It paired BAME women with local councillors to help demystify the role of councillors and encourage people from more diverse background to engage with their councils.
60 women took part in the scheme and 15 were so inspired that they stood for election in the 6 May poll, four of them winning seats. Many the women who took part in the scheme will be at the event, along with some of their councillor mentors.
Equalities Minister Lynne Featherstone and Race Equalities Minister Andrew Stunell will give the keynote address, along with Operation Black Vote Director Simon Woolley. This will be followed by a photo opportunity and refreshments.
The event, hosted jointly by the Government Equalities Office and Operation Black Vote, will be held on Monday 14 June at the House of Commons, Terrace Room, Terrace Pavilion, Westminster. Arrivals are expected from 3.30pm to allow for the security clearance, and the event is due to end by 6pm.
Lynne Featherstone, Minister for Equalities said:
“BAME women make more than 5% of the population but less than 1% of councillors. Our democracy is supposed to be representative, rooted in the community. It won’t be representative until more women like these are at the heart of decision making at a local and national level. We need all sections of society represented in politics so we can get decisions that can have a real effect on everyone.
“These new Councillors do not just want change; they have put themselves forward to make change happen. They are role models for equality – bringing a voice to decision making that has been missing for too long.”
Francine Fernandes, OBV Head of Shadowing Schemes said: “The women have blazed a trail of political success. Within a very short period of time, they have moved from political bystanders to political leaders. Their collective journeys and achievements starkly demonstrate the wealth of talent within BAME communities and defy stereotypes about women, and particularly BAME women. OBV are particularly pleased that so many of the participants put themselves forward as candidates and are now local Cllrs. We celebrate their entrance into public life and commend the positive contributions which they are making to their local communities. “
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