Fawcett Society
The Fawcett Society is one of the UK’s leading organisations campaigning for equality between women and men.
Mission
The Fawcett Society’s vision is of a society in which women and men enjoy equality at work, at home and in public life.
History
The Fawcett Society was named after the 19th century Women's Women's Suffrage campaigner, Millicent Fawcett in recognition of her contribution to gender equality. As the President of the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies, Millicent Fawcett played a central role in the suffrage movement, leading women to collect signatures to present to Parliament. The union changed its name to the London and National Society for Women’s Service group, and in 1953 the society was renamed the Fawcett Society, in honour of Dame Millicent Garrett Fawcett, who had died in 1929.
Campaigns
The Fawcett Society is involved in lobbying the UK government in the following general areas:
- Sexism in the City
- ‘Double’ discrimination against ethnic women
- Equal pay
- Making the judicial system more equitable for women
- Improving working conditions and rights for mothers.
References