50:50

50:50 is a micro charity with mega ambitions. We want to see equal numbers of women in Parliament by 2030.

We need YOUR help to do this. Charities that support women and girls receive less than 2% of funding in the UK. Campaigning charities need people like you to support our work. This is people power.

Be the Change

We encourage women to stand for elected office. As well as raising awareness of the gender imbalance, this is the crux of what we do. But we know it is not for everyone. Our community has asked what else they can do to further the goal of equal representation in Parliament. THIS. This is what you can do. Give as generously as you are able (and this is different for everyone). Your gift will make an enormous difference to a tiny charity trying to bring about a huge change.

Why is it important to have equal representation

Only around 35% of our elected officials, in Parliament and on Local Councils, are women – despite being 51% of the UK population. As our Founder, Frances Scott, says – “This is not a democratic deficit, it is a democratic disgrace.” If we were designing democracy today, this simply would not stand up.

Representation shapes policy and policy shapes lives. If we do not have a seat at the table, how can we have a voice in shaping our future? We saw the repercussions of this during Covid, when the ‘macho culture’ ignored women’s needs and this created issues around childcare, domestic abuse and even the safety equipment for health workers.

We want women and men to work together in equal numbers to build the country’s future and for our elected bodies to draw upon the widest possible pool of talent and experience, including that of the 32 million women who live and work in the UK. We are the leading group recruiting women to stand for elected office, working towards rightful representation.

We need your help because bringing about change costs money.

We need to be LOUD about the gender imbalance and ensure that it is not something our elected bodies can ignore. We work with all of the Parties to ensure this issue is not left to ‘gather dust’. Whilst there has been progress (only 24% of MPs were women when 50:50 Parliament started) there is still much more to be done. THIS is the time to accelerate change. Our supportive network supports women to progress in politics at a local and national level. We are working across the political spectrum, to inspire and empower women from all backgrounds, giving them the tools to get selected.

Donate to 50:50 and make a difference today.

Women are the majority in life but are a minority on most elected bodies. We believe that equal representation of women and men in all their diversity is the starting point for a fit-for-purpose, functioning democracy which benefits everyone.

We know that women often have to be asked before they will consider standing for elected office. Since 2013, we have launched #AskHerToStand and #SignUpToStand campaigns, group events, peer-to-peer advice, buddy and mentor schemes and our Friends of 50:50 initiatives – all with the help of our supporters and donors.

Give what you can. No amount is too small. Spread the word. We all need to be making noise around this issue and also putting our money where our mouth is!

THANK YOU – your support is hugely appreciated.

Testimonials 

50:50 massively helped at the beginning with a clear tool kit plan of action and confidence from being amongst similar minded women. 

The impact that 50:50 is having is huge. It's really helping fill the knowledge and confidence gap for women that are wanting to stand. Political neutrality of it means that it shows what can be achieved when people come together.

50:50 has been incredibly important to me as it was through their efforts that I understood the significance of putting myself forward. The organization is doing a brilliant job.