Increasing the representation of racially minoritised women in UK local politics
Key contacts: Khursheed Wadia
Funding: Comic Relief and Esmée Fairbairn Foundation (Commissioned by Muslim Women’s Network UK )
Start date: 1 June 2022
End date: 30 September 2023
Project overview
While the number of women local councillors has steadily increased in the UK since 2006, the same is not true for racially minoritised councillors. Previously gathered data indicates that women constitute 37 per cent of all racially minoritised councillors (Sobolewska and Begum 2020). From this it can be concluded that racially minoritised women account for a mere three per cent of all UK councillors and that an immense increase of 200 per cent in their numbers is required for them to reflect the proportion of racially minoritised women in the UK population.
Through in-depth interviews with prospective, incumbent and former women local councillors from racially minoritised communities, this research project explores the barriers which keep minoritised women out of electoral politics at local level and which prevent them from staying in office once elected. It also asks how might barriers be eliminated in order to increase these women’s representation in local government. The research aim is to inform political parties, relevant statutory agencies and civil society organisations about how minoritised women may be supported to achieve greater representation and voice in local government and political decision making.
The research findings and recommendations were presented to relevant stakeholders, including local councillors, at a launch event supported by Muslim Women’s Network UK and hosted by Elect Her on 4 February 2025. Details of the event and access to the full report can be found at:
https://www.elect-her.org.uk/blog/professorkhursheedwadiaresearch