There are 11 statues of men in Parliament Square but no statues of women. But thanks to the Suffragette Statue Campaign this changes - suffragist Dame Millicent Fawcett will be the first woman to be honoured with a statue in Parliament Square.
The sculpture of Millicent Fawcett will be put up outside the Houses of Parliament in 2018, marking 100 years since women in the UK were given the right to vote. She is said to be standing alongside Sir Winston Churchill and Nelson Mandela.
Millicent was an English feminist, political union leader and writer. She worked alongside many suffragettes who tirelessly concentrated on improving women’s opportunities for higher education. She had taken an interest in women’s empowerment in its broadest sense and believed firmly that achieving women’s right was integral to achieving social justice for all.
She was involved with the push for women's votes for more than five decades and led the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies. In 1866, at 19, she helped collect signatures for the first suffrage petition. Her determination and commitment to peaceful tactics lead to a more revolutionary movement of suffragettes.
Prime Minister, Theresa May said that it was “right and proper” and that Millicent “continues to inspire the battle against the burning injustices of today.”
“Her statue will stand as a reminder of how politics only has value if it works for everyone in society.”
The campaign established by Telegraph Women and feminist activist Caroline Criado-Perez. This campaign included a petition backed by more than 74000 people and an open letter to London’s Mayor, Sadiq Khan. The petition was signed by a group of powerful women such as Emma Watson, JK Rowling and Naomi Harris.
By Bhavya Bhaskaran, Guru Gobind Singh Khalsa College
