Community Politics and the Under-Representation of South Asian Women Councillors: ‘Making the Leap’ 2010-2011
This British Academy-funded study explores the role of the National Association of Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority CouncillorsThe NABAEMC have conducted a study on how Black and minority ethnic women's (BAME) under-representation in politics, exclusion from public life and experiences of discrimination has been brought into sharp focus.
Recommendations to remedy this include consultation with women in grassroots organisations and a commitment to quotas by the leadership in political parties.
This research focused on in-depth qualitative research with a sample of South Asian women who are working in community organisations, as councillors and mayors.
The research forms a pilot study and a basis for a wider study for understanding the importance of women's representation in democratic structures.
Context
The context of the research supports the government's plans to address the under-representation of BAME women councillors.
The aims are firstly, to find out whether progression routes into local politics for South Asian women are through involvement in community organisations. And secondly, the changes necessary to include South Asian women in politics.
The project is carried out on behalf of LSBU's Families and Social Capital Research Group.
To find out more about this work, contact Dr Shaminder Takhar, or search our People Finder for academics researching in this area.