This International Women’s Day we must recognize that, despite progress, true political equality in the UK has not yet been achieved.
For most of history, women’s contributions to politics and society have been overlooked. We’ve had to fight for centuries for the right to vote, to speak our minds, and to stand for election. Nearly a century since women gained equal suffrage in Britain in 1928, political representation remains far from equal.
First Past the Post (FPTP) has been described by researchers as “the world’s worst voting system for achieving gender balance.” By contrast, studies show that, on average, the share of women elected to parliamentary bodies is 8 percentage points higher in countries that use a proportional system1. The top 20 most gender-equal parliaments all reject FPTP in favour of proportional representation (PR).
The few democracies where women hold 50% or more of parliamentary seats—such as Mexico, Nicaragua, Andorra, and Rwanda—all use PR in their electoral systems2. Furthermore, studies reveal that PR not only increases the number of women elected but also leads to higher political engagement among female voters.
The message is clear: our current electoral system remains a significant barrier to women’s participation in politics. It’s time to change it.
- Matland, R. (1998). Women’s representation in national legislatures: Developed and developing countries. Legislative Studies Quarterly, XXIII, 1, 109–125. Reynolds, A. (1999). Women in the legislatures and executives of the world: knocking at the highest glass ceiling. World Politics, 51(4), 547–572.
- Monthly ranking of women in national parliaments | IPU Parline: global data on national parliaments
Why Representation Matters
A diverse range of women’s voices and experiences must be properly represented at every level of politics. Without lived experience shaping policy, governments risk ignoring the unique challenges women face, leading to systemic inequalities and weaker policy outcomes.
More diverse perspectives lead to more well-rounded policy debates, greater innovation, and more effective governance. Countries with higher female representation tend to pass policies that benefit families, education, and healthcare—areas that improve society for everyone.
A major barrier for women entering politics is the lack of visible female role models. When leadership spaces remain male-dominated, it becomes harder for young women to envision themselves in those roles.
While an unjust and outdated voting system is far from the only challenge women face, electoral reform would be a step towards breaking down these barriers.
The Next Step in Democratic Reform
The Votes for Women movement highlighted the vital importance of women’s representation and political power. Our great-grandmothers risked their freedom and even their lives to win our right to vote. Today, we’re fighting for our vote to count.
Equal suffrage didn’t solve every problem overnight, but it was a giant leap towards a fairer society. Now it’s time to go a step further, and create a fairer, more inclusive political system that better represents and values all citizens.
The time for change is now. Let’s follow the example of the nation’s leading in women’s representation and build a political system that reflects and champions the full diversity of our society.
Written by Ana Oppenheim







