WPUK Questions for Councillors
This May, many local councillors will be standing for election. Help us find out where they stand and what they will do to uphold the rights of women and girls in their wards.
Use this guidance to ask them our three questions for councillors and help us build a picture of how things stand for women and girls across the UK.
This May, many local councillors will be standing for election. Help us find out what they will do to uphold the rights of women and girls in their wards. We have identified three questions for councillors that we think every local councillor should be asked – and be expected to answer.
Please use this guidance to ask all of your councillors (or prospective councillors) for their responses and help us build a picture of how things stand for women and girls across the UK.
International Women’s Day
Although the local elections don’t take place until 5th May, we want to use International Women’s Day to launch this political action and get as many women as possible involved in the local democratic process by using our questions for councillors.
International Women’s Day grew out of the grassroots organising of thousands of working women in New York who were angry at their work and living conditions. It has since become a global day of celebration and activism.
In the spirit of this history, Woman’s Place UK is calling on women everywhere to ask your local councillors, and any candidates standing for election, what they are prepared to do to improve the lives of women and girls in your region.
WPUK Questions for Councillors
1. What will you do to ensure that the council is providing public services that meet the needs of women including single-sex provision?
2. What are you doing to reduce the high levels of sexual harassment, abuse and violence against women and girls in your ward?
3. How will you work to increase the representation and participation of women in local democratic structures and political life?
These questions can be asked of any councillor anywhere – and any MP – but with local elections taking place in many areas this May, it’s an excellent time to find out where your political representatives stand on women’s rights.
Woman’s Place UK is not affiliated to any political party and has members and supporters from different political traditions, but we think all candidates should be able to commit to some basic principles that demonstrate their commitment to women’s rights.
See our list of organisations working for women within the different parties at the end of this post.
Council Elections 5th May 2022
There are council elections taking place in many parts of the UK this May.
Check this list for details of the elections taking place
Elections are a good time to ask candidates these questions but you can ask them of any political representatives, even if they are not facing an election.
You could also pose them to your MP, MSP, SM or MLA.
You can find out who your candidates are here
How should I contact candidates?
1. Use social media
Most candidates will be on Twitter and many will have a Facebook campaign page.
Use our social media images to tag your local councillor on social media and politely ask for a response.
#Questions4Councillors #IWD2022 #WomenVote #BreakTheBias
#Questions4Councillors #IWD2022 #WomenVote #BreakTheBias
#Questions4Councillors #IWD2022 #WomenVote #BreakTheBias
2. Write to your councillors
Write and ask your councillors to respond to the three questions we have suggested.
- Add in some local examples or details to illustrate your concerns
- Write using your personal experience and knowledge.
You could email or send a letter by post.
The constituency addresses should be available on the local party websites.
3. Ask the questions on the doorstep
Lots of candidates or their representatives will be knocking on doors to try and win your vote.
Make them work for it.
4. Attend any local hustings meetings
Details of any meetings should be advertised in the local press, party/council websites and social media platforms.
If there isn’t one organised, think about organising one yourself and invite all the candidates.
5. Go to your councillors’ surgery
Details should be available on your local council website.
Share their response
Let other voters in your constituency know.
Use this google form to let us know every time you get a response from a councillor so we can keep a record.
Is there anything else I can do to raise awareness of these questions?
- Write to your local newspaper
- Contact local TV and radio networks
- Organise a local meeting
- Apply for a stall at a local event or market
How to contact your local councillors and other candidates standing for election
- Local Council website
- Local Party websites
- Local Hustings meetings – details should be advertised in local press
- Social Media accounts
Are there any groups of women organising in different political parties who can help me?
Yes! Lots of women are organising in political parties to speak up for women’s rights. Here are a few contact details
Women Uniting a cross-party group fighting for women’s sex-based rights
Women’s Equality Party Sex-based Rights Caucus
Other groups and organisations you may find useful
#Questions4Councillors #WomenVote #CouncilElections
We believe that it is important to share a range of viewpoints on women’s rights and advancement from different perspectives. WPUK does not necessarily agree or endorse all the views that we share.
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