Jersey celebrates International Women’s Day

8th March 2023

Today, Wednesday 8 March, is International Women's Day and to mark the day, States Members are sharing their views on this year's theme #EmbraceEquity and what it means to them in a series of videos. The States Assembly is also highlighting some of its key milestones for women, with a nod to the 2022 election results, including:

• The Island's first female Chief Minister, Deputy Kristina Moore
• A 50% increase in the number of female States Members, from 14 in 2018, to 21 in 2022
• A 51% rise in the number of female Deputies, 19 out of 37
• An increase in equality in the Assembly with 43% of States Members being female (21 women and 28 men)

In addition to the most recent increase in representation of women in the States Assembly, the female pioneers of Jersey politics are being celebrated:

• The first woman to stand for election, Caroline Trachy, 1922
• The first female States Member, Ivy Forster, 1948
• The first female Connétable, Iris Le Feuvre, 1984

The aim of this year's theme #EmbraceEquity is to get the world talking about inclusion. The International Women's Day website says: "the campaign theme is to get the world talking about Why equal opportunities aren't enough. People start from different places, so true inclusion and belonging require equitable action". Hear from some of the States Members on what equity means to them here.

Deputy Carina Alves, Chair of the Diversity Forum said: "The annual celebration of International Women's Day is a reminder of how far the Assembly has evolved. This year's theme is centered around equity, which is something the Diversity Forum is championing, not just in the States Chamber and looking at female representation, but being inclusive and fair within our laws and governance for the future of our Island."

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