To mark International Women’s Day 2025, Chamber UK and 50:50 Parliament brought together political leaders, campaigners, and change-makers in the heart of Westminster to celebrate progress – and call for more. Standing in the historic Speaker’s State Apartments, Lady Cherie Blair CBE KC delivered a rousing keynote that blended personal experience, global perspective, and a fierce defence of equal representation.
“People sometimes say, what’s the point of International Women’s Day? Do we still need one? The answer is a resounding yes – absolutely”
Lady Cherie Blair CBE KC
Lady Blair, a lifelong advocate for women’s rights, left no doubt about the need to accelerate action – the theme of 2025 International Women’s Day – especially in the face of a rising global backlash against gender equality.
Spotlight on Global Setbacks and Political Realities
Drawing attention to UN Women data showing we are nearly 300 years away from achieving global equality for women and girls, Lady Blair underscored the scale of the challenge ahead. Sustainable Development Goal 5 – gender equality – remains one of the worst-performing goals.
“There’s absolutely no guarantee we’ll be right next time…We’ve seen a global backlash, led from Washington, against feminism and women’s rights”.
Lady Cherie Blair CBE KC
Even here in the so-called Mother of Parliaments, progress is fragile. Though the 2024 election led to 40% female representation, Lady Blair noted that this was partly driven by Labour’s landslide, not a system designed for equality.
Celebrating Change – and Confronting the Press Backlash
Lady Blair reflected on her own attempt to enter Parliament in 1983 – when just 23 women were elected. Real change came only in 1997, using all-women shortlists.
“That was over 100 Labour women MPs – and about six Conservatives. Was it even one Liberal Democrat? I’m not sure”, she remembered.
The media response to that historic moment?
“Blair’s Babes” – a headline that belittled women’s success and echoed the dismissive tone so many women still face in public life.
But the women elected in 1997 – and those who followed – changed Parliament. They championed legislation to tackle violence against women, opened economic opportunities, and made equality part of the policy conversation.
Calling on Everyone to Act – Women, Men, Donors, and Parties
Lady Blair’s message was unmistakable: everyone has a role to play in getting more women elected. In the most rousing speech of the evening, she told the crowd, “Are you a woman thinking, ‘Maybe I could do it’? Absolutely – you can. Put yourself forward.”
“Are you a man? Maybe it’s time to support your partner to stand instead of you.”
“Are you a donor? Do something. Help 50:50 Parliament. Candidates need money.”
She called for political parties to commit to 50:50 candidates, for crèches at selection meetings, and for practical support to remove barriers to women entering politics.
Watch, Share, Inspire
Feeling the call to finish what the suffragettes started?
Watch Lady Cherie Blair KC’s powerful keynote on why the work of equality is not yet done – and how every one of us has a part to play in achieving a truly representative Parliament.
“Sylvia Pankhurst once said: ‘Great is the work that remains to be accomplished.’
And together, we can finish that work.”
Like, comment and share to amplify her voice
Tag @5050Parliament and @chamberuk when sharing
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Bayer has provided sponsorship funding, which supported logistics and materials for this event. Chamber maintained complete editorial control for the event and outputs.
Bicycle Therapeutics also provided sponsorship support, ensuring the success of the evening while allowing the organisers full independence over content and discussions.