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Democracy Day

It's the 750th anniversary of the first elected parliament at Westminster. Helen Pankhurst, Lord Speaker Baroness D'Souza and Kuwaiti artist Shurooq Amin look at women in politics.

A special Democracy Day edition. The Lord Speaker Baroness D'Souza discusses her role and the significance of the House of Lords. Archivist Mari Takayanagi looks at the history of women trying to get in to parliament. Helen Pankhurst, the great-granddaughter of Emmeline, and her daughter Laura discuss their family heritage and the political battles women are still facing. Kuwaiti artist and activist Shurooq Amin and Nan Sloane, Director of the Centre for Women & Democracy, explore what democracy means for women in the UK and internationally. Girl Guides explain why they were keen to pilot a new badge introduced to show girls how they can have a voice and be politically aware.

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58 minutes

Last on

Tue 20 Jan 2015 10:00
BBC Radio 4

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Chapters

  • The Lord Speaker Baroness D’Souza

    Duration: 06:11

  • Getting into Parliament

    Duration: 05:48

  • Exploring the Idea of Democracy

    Duration: 28:35

  • Girl Guides

    Duration: 02:23

The Lord Speaker Baroness D’Souza

The Lord Speaker Baroness D’Souza discusses her political career, role within the House of Lords, the significance of the second chamber, and what can be done to ensure women can be politically engaged.

Getting into Parliament

A history of women trying to get in to parliament, with Senior Archivist at the Parliamentary Archives, Mari Takayanagi.

Exploring the Idea of Democracy

Helen and Laura Pankhurst –descendants of Suffragette Leader Emmeline talk about the importance of their family heritage and the forthcoming Suffragette film, starring Meryl Streep,  in which they had cameo roles. They also discuss the political battles women are still facing with Nan Sloane, Director of the Centre for Women & Democracy, and Kuwaiti Artist and activist Shurooq Amin.

http://www.shurooqamin.com/ 

Nan Sloane Centre for Women and Democracy http://cfwd.org.uk/

To find out more about the work of Helen and Laura Pankhurst: http://walkinhershoes.careinternational.org.uk/

Girl Guides

Girl Guides talk about a new badge which has been introduced to show girls how they can have a voice and be politically aware. The girls discuss what they have learnt helping to pilot the new Hear Our Voice badge, their visit to the House of Lords, and representation of women in Parliament.

http://www.girlguiding.org.uk/home.aspx

Credits

Presenter Jane Garvey
Interviewed Guest Frances D'Souza
Interviewed Guest Mari Takayanagi
Interviewed Guest Helen Pankhurst
Interviewed Guest Laura Pankhurst
Interviewed Guest Shurooq Amin
Interviewed Guest Nan Sloane
Interviewed Guest Philippa Helme

Broadcast

  • Tue 20 Jan 2015 10:00
    BBC Radio 4

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  • Woman's Hour

    Women's voices and women's lives - topical conversations to inform, challenge and inspire.

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