At first glance, the world of business might seem worlds apart from the campaign for equal parliamentary representation. But dig a little deeper, and the parallels become striking. And impossible to ignore. It was a great start to the new year when a group of us from the She Rocks Business community attended an inspiring event at the House of Commons. Hosted by Helen Pankhurst CBE who is a powerhouse of women’s rights advocacy: Senior Adviser to CARE International and the great-granddaughter of Emmeline Pankhurst. If you’re picturing a buzzing afternoon filled with thought-provoking and inspiring conversations with a palpable sense of purpose, you’ve nailed it.
This event was part of Centenary Action’s #Mission2028 campaign. Focussed on achieving a gender-equal Parliament by 2028 – exactly 100 years since all women gained the right to vote. It brought together MPs, business leaders, with women-focused campaigning and community organisations to address one big question: What needs to change to increase the number of elected female MPs. What needs to foster the culture, support, and tools to make meaningful change? And the question it raised for us was how can we in business help make that happen?
Why Should Business Care?
Let’s be blunt: business has a huge role to play in driving gender equality. After all, the challenges women face in politics – visibility, breaking into cliques, long hours, balancing family and caring responsibilities – are strikingly similar to those faced by women in leadership roles across the corporate world.
The stats don’t lie. We still don’t see enough women leading businesses. Yet when women are at the table, decisions are made differently, communication improves, and innovation thrives. Women make decisions and communicate differently from men. Not necessarily better or worse. Just different. We tend to use personal experience to evidence our case. And we’re very definitely capable of standing our ground. Diversity isn’t just a buzzword; it’s the foundation of better outcomes for everyone.
At the event, we heard from cross-party MPs who had just been elected – Uma Kumaran (Labour), Shivani Raja (Conservative), Caroline Voaden (Liberal Democrat), Ellie Chowns (Green Party), and Ann Davies (Plaid Cymru). Despite their differing political views, their shared experiences of the election process and the barriers they overcame were eye-opening. They spoke of the hurdles of entering male-dominated spaces, managing work-life balance, and pushing through stereotypes. Sound familiar, business leaders?
Supporting the Next Generation
One of the most inspiring contributions to the afternoon came from Ashiah, a Girlguiding advocate. She shared insights from their Girls’ Attitude Survey, now in its 16th year, which highlights the mounting pressures young girls face today. From appearance expectations to online harm and sexual abuse. These pressures are hitting harder and earlier than ever, eroding confidence and wellbeing. These are tomorrow’s leaders, and they need our support now.
Representing She Rocks Business Sarah Walker-Smith wrapped up the lively and inspiring afternoon. As the creators of She Rocks Business Cooper Parry and Shakespeare Martineau were delighted to sponsor and take part in the celebration. Sarah emphasised the striking similarities between the challenges faced by women in business and those in politics. Equality and rights shouldn’t be a stretch target. They should be demanded and expected. Sarah went on to emphasise the importance of women finding’ their tribe’ and the need to work together. Underscoring how the She Rocks Business community is part of the solution.
As we were reminded by Helen who quoted her grandmother suffragette Sylvia Pankhurst “Great is the work that remains to be accomplished.” Gender equality doesn’t just happen. It’s achieved through collective action – through communities like She Rocks Business and campaigns like #Mission2028.
What’s Next? Action, Action, Action
The event wasn’t just a celebration of progress (40% of MPs are now women) but also a galvanising moment. It challenged us to ask: What role can businesses play in making gender equality a reality, both in Parliament and in the boardroom?
Here are three takeaways for us in business:
- Champion Visibility: Women can’t be what they can’t see. Make sure your workplace is showcasing female role models and amplifying their voices.
- Create Inclusive Cultures: Policies like flexible working aren’t just nice-to-haves. They’re essential for levelling the playing field and unlocking talent.
- Support the Pipeline: From mentoring young women to supporting organisations like Girlguiding, businesses have the power to nurture the next generation of leaders.
Gender equality starts with women supporting women. But it doesn’t end there. This is about creating workplaces and societies where everyone, both women and men, can thrive.
An equal Parliament by 2028 shouldn’t be a stretch goal. It should be inevitable. The same goes for equal leadership in business. And as we heard from the inspirational speakers at the House of Commons, change happens when we work together.
So let’s make it happen. Keep your eyes peeled for future, She Rocks Business events.
