About Us

The Centre for Women & Democracy believes that women are under-represented at all levels of public life and public decision-making and works to change this. Figures for current levels of representation are shown below.

Based in the north of England, CFWD has a national role and remit, and, in particular, we:

• Commission, carry out and publish research and reports on women in public life, both in the UK and around the world (see Publications & Reports and Fact Sheets);

• Run workshops to inform women about, and encourage them to become involved in, public decision-making (see Practical Politics for Women);

• Prepare and submit evidence and other papers to consultations and inquiries carried out by parliament, government, political parties and other bodies (e.g., the Speaker's Conference on Representation, the Councillors' Commission, etc);

• Hold events to promote the representation of women, to facilitate networking and the exchange of good practice, and to develop a wider understanding of the issues;

• Work with partner organizations to promote our objectives.

In recent years our partners have included the Fawcett Society, the New Local Government Network, the Electoral Reform Society, the Hansard Society, Local Government Ideas and Development, Yorkshire Forward and the Feminist Review Trust. We currently also have funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

To keep up with what we are doing, sign up for our regular Enewsletter (see panel on left).

Currently, women are:

• 22% of MPs

• 20%% of Peers in the House of Lords

• 34%  of all Government Ministers

• 26% of Cabinet Ministers

• 33% of Members of the Scottish Parliament

• 15% of the Northern Ireland Assembly

• 47% of Members of the Welsh Assembly

• 26% of Members of European Parliament

• 30% of Local Councillors

• 14% of Local Authority Leaders

• 9% of High Court Judges

• 8% of University Vice Chancellors

• 58% of School Governors

CFWD Staff