Unfortunately, this progress is threatened by governments cuts and changes to legislation that threaten women’s independence, and in some cases, safety.  65% of public sector redundancies over the next three years are likely to be female, with unemployment amongst women at its highest level for 25 years.  On Monday my colleagues in the House of Lords had to fight hard to protect access to Legal Aid for domestic violence victims – we won, but it demonstrates that the government is not heading in the right direction on some of the most important issues affecting women today.

I want my daughters to grow up in a society where they can be independent, achieve to the best of their abilities with nothing to hold them back, and with a government that will do everything it can to keep them safe.  At the moment, I don’t feel like this government can promise that.

To mark International Women’s Day some of my colleagues in the House of Lords have launched an essay competition for young women (17-18 year olds) where they can share their thoughts on today’s politics, and the impact it has on women.  More details of the competition can be foundhere.

The top prize is a lunch in the House of Lords with the judges, who include the singer Speech Debelle, journalist Zoe Williams and author and comedian Louise Rennison (as well Baroness Jan Royall and Baroness Rendell).

Please pass details of the competition to any young women you know who are eligible – I want to see Tooting well represented!