Mentoring scheme participants selected
Twenty-two women have been selected against stiff competition to be mentored by a senior Labour Party figure in the first annual national political education programme developed by the Fabian Society Women’s Network. The programme, which was advertised in March http://www.fabianwomen.co.uk/2011/03/fabian-womens-network-launches-new-mentoring-scheme/,
is designed to improve political understanding, open up new networks and move women forward in their pursuit of a public life or political career, whether local or national. Mentors include Rt Hon Harriet Harman MP, Rt Hon Tessa Jowell MP, Mary Creagh MP and Kate Green MP.
The programme was launched at a meeting in the House of Commons on Monday 23 May attended by the Labour Party Leader Ed Miliband who congratulated those selected and thanked the mentors for their support of future contributors to public life. He described them as “22 cracks in the glass ceiling” and said he wanted to see 50 per cent women round the Shadow Cabinet table, as well as Cabinet table.
Seema Malhotra, Director of the Fabian Women’s Network said “We want to see an increase in the impact and influence of women in politics and political debate. Political education is vital to giving women the know-how and the tools they need to determine their own way forward in public life.”
