We, The Alliance Of Her, believe that liberalism means ensuring women have equal power, equal representation and that their political leadership is truly valued.[i] This is why we call on liberal parties across Europe to ensure female political participation is front and centre of our liberal agenda in the crucial year of 2024 and beyond.

As we celebrate important gains, and notable successes of individual women in European political life, evidence shows that systemic, structural and cultural barriers continue to hold women back. In many cases, these barriers can force women out of politics far too soon, or even put women off from participating in the first place.

Because of unequal, gendered power dynamics in all societies, women take massive risks and make massive sacrifices entering political life, and in doing so deliver greatly for their communities, supporters, and their parties. Most crucially, they have the power to inspire more young women and girls to imagine themselves in politics and become more politically engaged.

Female voters, female party members and female candidates matter. It is time for liberal parties to recognise the value of female political leadership, dismantle the barriers that hold women in politics back, and commit to ensuring they can fully lead, succeed, survive and thrive in political life.

We know it’s the right thing to do. But it’s also the smart thing to do, and the liberal thing to do.