United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Councillor Rhiannon Spear shared her experience as women from across the political parties called for an end to the 'toxic' atmosphere in politics, which causes many female councillors to step down.

A Glasgow politician who was "followed" to her car by a married councillor who consistently "wanted to touch and hug her" ended up having to call the police.

Virtual Senedd meetings should continue long after Covid to make politics accessible to all, a politician with an eight-year-old son has said.

Heledd Fychan said hybrid working in the pandemic meant she could balance the needs of her job and her child.

Action is needed to avoid losing a generation of women and minorities in politics, MPs have argued today.

In a report released today, the women and equalities committee says that just 34 per cent, representation of women in the House of Commons lags behind its devolved counterparts, and falls below that of comparable European nations. Only 5.7 per cent of all 650 MPs are women from minority ethnic backgrounds.

Nicola Sturgeon said she fears the forthcoming council elections will see equal representation go “backwards” as women are reluctant to enter the “toxic” world of politics.

Speaking at an event ahead of International Women’s Day, the First Minister highlighted that only three parliaments in the entire world have 50% female representation.

Exclusive: presiding officer Alison Johnstone says it will be disappointing if parliament cannot attract more female politicians.

It will be “really disappointing” if the Scottish parliament cannot attract more female politicians within the next five years, says Holyrood’s presiding officer, as she launches Holyrood’s first women’s audit to investigate barriers to representation and participation.