Theresa May and the Conservatives have a proud record of promoting women in politics. The first woman to sit in the House of Commons was a Conservative, and we were the first party in the western world to elect a female Prime Minister. The Prime Minister co-founded Women2Win, appointed a female Vice-Chair to our candidates department to look at how we can get more female candidates and we are working hard in Government to give women greater financial security, ensure equal opportunities in the workplace – so there’s no glass ceiling - and are working to end violence against women and girls.
I frequently find my route between meetings in the Palace of Westminster takes me through Westminster Hall which, as steps rise from it into St Stephen's Hall, houses a work of art celebrating one hundred years of women's suffrage. New Dawn is vivid and ever changing and reminds me each time I see it of the fight women had to achieve the right to vote. (http://www.parliament.uk/newdawn)
I am supporting the Vote 100 programme which includes a wide range of events and activities commemorating the women and men who fought to achieve electoral equality. The Representation of the People Act extended the right to vote to all men over 21 and the first women, making this one of the most important centenaries in British democratic history.
Throughout the year there will be a major exhibition in Parliament – “Voice and Vote” – as well as an exciting programme of talks and tours in Parliament. There will also be a number of UK-wide events, such as EqualiTeas and UK Parliament Week 2018.
Schools and community groups in Brentwood and Ongar are encouraged to get involved in debating and celebrating this important anniversary in our democracy.
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As part of the Vote 100 programme, Parliament is releasing a series of hard-hitting films to highlight how four key acts changed the lives of women. Four women have agreed to speak directly to camera in highly personal interviews about the difference the Representation of the People Act 1918, the Female Genital Mutilation Act, the NHS Act and Abortion Act have made to their lives. This the third instalment of Your Story, Our History, a film series that explores how legislation passed by the UK Parliament can transform people’s lives.
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As part of Vote 100, Westminster Hall, the oldest part of Parliament, will host a major free public exhibition “Voice and Vote: Women’s Place in Parliament” this summer. The story of women and parliament will be told through immersive and interactive technologies to help recreate lost historic spaces that were used by women in the Palace of Westminster. It will include key historic objects from Parliamentary collections and significant loans from around the UK.
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EqualiTeas, which will take place between 18 June and 2 July, will be a UK-wide celebration of the 1928 Equal Franchise Act, which enabled men and women to vote on an equal basis. Schools and community groups are being asked to get together over a cup of tea to share, debate and celebrate this important anniversary. If you register your event on the EqualiTeas website (equaliteas.org.uk) you will receive a free pack of resources, including the EqualiTeas board game.
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This year, UK Parliament Week will take place from 12-18 November. Schools are invited to take part in this festival, and engage pupils with the UK Parliament. Schools can register events from now, and they will receive a free kit including activities, ideas and all the materials needed to take part. Find out more and register, before 30 September at ukparliamentweek.org.