As part of a special celebration to promote greater equality for women in politics and the wider world, Monmouth MP David Davies hosted local students at Westminster on International Women’s Day 2016.
Sixth-formers Ellena Gale, from Haberdashers’ Monmouth School for Girls, and Angharad Clarke, from King Henry VIII School in Abergavenny, were invited to spend the day in Parliament shadowing Mr Davies last Tuesday (8 March).
The 17 year olds found out first-hand what it’s like to be a member of the Women and Equalities Select Committee during a session entitled#TakeoverTuesday when MPs swapped places with students and put themselves on the witness table.
They also enjoyed a visit to No 10 Downing Street and watched the International Women’s Day debate in the House of Commons.
Ellena and Angharad were among a group of 66 students from across the UK who also took part in a workshop run by Frances Scott, founder of the 50:50 Parliament campaign, and her team.
The young women were able to share ideas about how further female representation in Parliament can be achieved.
Mr Davies said: “Sadly, politics continues to be a male-dominated arena. It was therefore refreshing to see so many young women coming to London to further their political interest.
“It was a pleasure to host Ellena and Angharad and I do hope they found the experience inspiring.
“International Women’s Day has shown to us all here in Westminster just what can be achieved, and must be achieved, if we are to have equality – not just in the numbers of women MPs, but across the whole of society.”