Advertisement

Shocking levels of sexism in local politics revealed as third of female councillors 'subjected to sexist comments'

Sexism: A third of female Councillors said they were subjected to sexist comments: Shutterstock / Sergey Nivens
Sexism: A third of female Councillors said they were subjected to sexist comments: Shutterstock / Sergey Nivens

The shocking prevalence of sexism in local government has been highlighted today as a report revealed a third of female councillors have endured sexist comments in the workplace.

A survey of more than 2,300 councillors found almost two in every five female councillors suffered sexist comments from their own party members.

A third of women endured comments in the council chamber itself and a one in ten had been sexually harassed by other councillors.

In addition, 43 per cent said they are held back by assumptions about what they can do because they are women.

The findings were published as part of a year-long study led by the Fawcett Society – a charity promoting gender equality.

The study – a part of the Local Government Commission – is considering the question “does local Government work for women?” - with the final report due this summer.

Chief executive of the charity Sam Smethers said: "We are sadly used to hearing about the misogyny our politicians experience from the public via social media, but this research shows that they are also experiencing it from within their own parties, including their male council colleagues.

"Women councillors from all major parties are reporting sexism and sexual harassment from within their own parties and from other councillors.

"This problem is not confined to one party and is commonplace across local government.”

And Dame Margaret Hodge MP, co-chair of the Commission, said the “culture” of local government “would not be out of place in the 1970s”.

“This in turn is linked to the under-representation of women in local government where we have seen very little progress over the past 20 years,” she added.

The report noted that only a third of elected local councillors in England are women, an increase of just 5 per cent in the last 20 years.

Over the same period, the proportion of women in Parliament has increased by more than half, from 18 per cent to 29 per cent.

But the number of female council leaders has barely changed - up just three per cent in 10 years.

Local Government Association spokeswoman Claire Kobe said: "Councils are doing everything they can to ensure gender equality.

“Sexism has no place in the council chamber and all incidents should be reported under the local code of conduct for councillors.

"It is important that local government reflects the communities it represents and the LGA is leading the Be A Councillor campaign, which includes a focus on encouraging women and under-represented groups to engage with and enter politics."