“Young women need to get more involved in politics. All you see of politics is old white men shouting over eachother”
With International Women’s Day round the corner what do all the debates really mean when less than half of young women are not even likely to vote in the UK.
In the 2010 General Election only 51% of young people aged 18-25 voted and significantly less young women participated. It is estimated that even after a massive push for online registration there are a further 750,000 young people still not registered.
After a consultation, Youth Media Agency discovered young women are often confused and overwhelmed by politics, or are simply uninterested because of both a lack of political literacy in our education system and a lack of policies that represent them.
‘I am not registered, I want to vote but I just don’t know anything about politics or how it works’ Talia, 18
‘All you see of politics is old white men shouting over each other. It’s difficult to take anyone seriously when they are so rude and can’t even have a conversation. Politics needs to change to represent real debate over issues that really matter to engage everyone’ Hannah, 25
Youth Media Agency in association with The Streets want young people especially young women to realise that registering and voting means they will get the issues that matter to them discussed in parliament and they will also form part of a democratic society.
They have set up a crowdfunder to build a non-partisan national campaign that will reach 3.5 million 18-25 year olds. The campaign will be made by young female creatives, underpinned by a powerful film that will go viral.
The deadline for registering to vote is looming on April 20th, the clock is now ticking to restore the rights of young voters in Britain.
Stella Creasy MP supporter of the campaign said ‘at present only a minority are registered to vote and intending to take part so it’s too easy to overlook their concerns. This project is backing young women fighting to change this – they are determined to make sure young women’s voices cannot be ignored.’
‘It is crucial for young women to take responsibility of their future and the decisions that will affect them’ Ruby Mae Moore, 23 Editor of The Streets
This is an important project that will address our current democratic deficit by targeting those least likely to participate. It is becoming increasingly difficult call ourselves a democratic society unless everyone is involved.
Campaign http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/XXVOTE-Campaign/
[email protected] 07951 242 301
Youth Media Agency is a social enterprise committed to supporting youth created content in the UK. We work with young creatives to produce ethical campaigns aimed at young people.
The Streets is an online and print magazine created by young women for young women.
