How can more women become involved in politics? What are the factors which restrict young women’s life chances and opportunities to become involved in politics, and how can these be overcome? Jess Phillips received her Labour Party membership for her birthday at the age of 14, was a councillor at 29 and a MP at 32. Jess discussed how she became a politician, how other women can follow her example, (lack of) opportunites, the importance of political representation, and how best to give her constituency a voice.
Jess Phillips was elected the Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley in 2015. Before this she worked with victims of domestic violence, sexual violence and human trafficking, and continues to speak out on behalf of those who struggle to have their voice heard. She has worked with the Home Office, Ministry of Justice and the Department for Communities and Local Government on issues of violence against women and girls. She helped to launch the #NotTheCost campaign to combat the violence faced by politically active women, and the Recl@im the Internet campaign, which challenges abuse online.
The event was chaired by Professor Sarah Childs, Professor of Politics and Gender and Director, Centre for the Study of British Politics & Public Life at Birkbeck, University of London. The event was given as part of the PSA-British Library Lecture series on 5 September 2018.
