United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Nicola Sturgeon has reacted with disappointment to a survey that found that one in five Holyrood staff and one in three women had experienced sexual harassment or sexist behaviour while working in the Scottish parliament.

Of those who reported experience of sexual harassment at Holyrood, 45% identified the perpetrator as an MSP.

The Representation of the People Act 1918 was undoubtedly a significant step forward for women’s rights and democracy.

It gave the to vote to around 8.5million women previously disenfranchised and abolished almost all property restrictions on men.

One hundred years later and both men and women UK residents aged 18 and over are entitled to cast their vote on polling day.

Young women are being given the chance to shadow an assembly member for the day in an effort to boost female participation in politics.

The February event includes a Senedd tour, a question and answer session and a debate about the role of women.

Helen Bradley from equalities charity Chwarae Teg said it wanted to show young women they could "play an important role in shaping the future".

Campaigners warn it could be months before proposals are finalised, which could leave party whips with too much power.

Proposals to tackle sexual harassment and assault in Westminster have been criticised by campaigners and MPs for being “too vague” and leaving “too much power” with the party whips.

The government has rejected all six proposals to give parliament more equal female representation, prepared by the Commons’ women and equalities committee, including fines for parties that do not select enough women as candidates. 

Politicians in York have added their voices to calls for better gender representation in local government, after newly-published research about the imbalance.