Local MP Caroline Dinenage is calling for #BalanceforBetter as part of this year’s International Women’s Day.
The Balance for Better campaign is calling for a more balanced global representation, from politics to media, sport and business. The campaign is highlighting that gender equality is not only a woman’s issue but an economic issue that is essential for businesses and communities to thrive.
Caroline has also taken part in a campaign run by the Conservative party that emphasises the abuse that women face on social media. The video consists of female Conservative MPs reading abusive messages while highlighting the positive actions they have taken and achievements as politicians.
Caroline commented:
“While we support female achievement every day, I think International Women’s Day is incredibly important to highlight not just how far we have come, but how far we still have to go. It was my pleasure this year to support both the Better for Balance and Conservative campaigns.
I was only the 311th female MP when I was elected in 2010, and as a female politician to this day, I face countless abuse on social media platforms. We need to take action to ensure that we have a gender-balanced government, gender-balanced boardrooms and representation and show people who hide on online platforms that they are not faceless. Social media abuse discourages women from reaching for their goals, by people who have never met them and post without thought of the consequences. This needs to stop if we want to create a better-balanced world that profits everyone and it is our collective responsibility to ensure this happens.”
