Britain has slipped in international rankings on sexual equality due to a cut in the number of female Government ministers. Britain is placed 18th in the World Economic Forum’s annual ‘global gender gap’…
– it was 16th last year. Britain has been passed by Nicaragua and Luxembourg.Countries’ progress on tackling discrimination against women on a range of measures, including educational performance, earnings and political participation are measured in the report, which says: “The UK slips two spots relative to its performance last year. This is mainly the result of a decrease in the percentage of women in ministerial positions, which decreased from 23 per cent to 17 per cent.”
I know there has long been a call for gender balance in politics. It is argued that the attributes of both sexes, when combined and working together, can help arrive at the best outcomes for all. But what is needed, more than anything, is representation that we believe in and have faith in and whether that is male or female is surely not the main concern.
It seems politics and politicians have lost their way and it is going to take a colossal and sustained effort to change this. It needs everyone to start taking an interest in the country and others and caring for future generations and a legacy.
It’s easy to get side-tracked by so many issues and while I want respect for both sexes, I desperately want to be able to respect politics and politicians. The majority of people, given a fair chance, can make their own difference to this world, but this begins with positive role models and examples. I don’t want any man or woman to be in a job simply to make up a ‘gender balance’, I want them there because they are right for the job and will do a good job.