Local elections - why they matter and how you can get involved
We are a group of women from all walks of life who are working together to campaign to make sure women and girls in the North East have the same chances as everyone else to be safe, healthy, and reach our potential. We believe decision-makers should listen to women and girls when making choices about public services, housing, jobs, transport, and safety.
We work with local authorities, the North East Combined Authority, community groups and women and girls across our region to understand what matters to women and girls, and to make sure policies and services reflect our needs.
Why Local Elections Matter
Local elections to elect councillors will be taking place in May 2026 in your area.
Local councils make decisions that shape women and girls’ lives every day about:
Housing and homelessness
Safety in streets, parks, and public spaces
Public transport and travel
Childcare, adult education, and skills
Health, social care, and support for survivors of abuse
Jobs and local economic opportunities
These decisions affect women and girls more because:
Women do more unpaid work caring for kids and family members
Women earn less on average
Women are more likely to rely on public services to support themselves and their families
Girls face barriers in school, sports, and future job opportunities
When women and girls don’t vote, our needs are easier to ignore. Your vote helps to make your voice heard.
What We Mean by “Policy”
‘Policy’ is another way of saying ‘the rules and plans that decide how things work.’
Policies affect what services are available and what support you can get.
Policies are made by councils, the North East Combined Authority, the government and other public bodies.
They shape real life for all of us from bus services to playgrounds, housing, or jobs.
What is Campaigning?
Campaigning is working to make change happen. That could be:
Telling decision-makers what matters to us
Encouraging people to vote
Supporting or running a local project or community group that improves life in your area
Campaigning is not about supporting one party or politician, it’s about making sure women and girls are counted and heard.
Key Issues for Women and Girls
Housing
Women, especially single mums, are more likely to be in temporary accommodation or unable to leave unsafe homes.
Good housing policies save lives and help families thrive.
Work and Money
Fewer women in the North East have paid work compared to other parts of England.
Many women are in low-paid, insecure jobs, or cannot take paid work due to caring responsibilities for kids, parents or disabled or unwell family members.
Supporting women into well-paid jobs and training makes a difference to families and communities.
Transport and Safety
Women travel differently. We do more short trips, more walking, more bus use.
Unsafe or expensive transport can limit work, education, and leisure.
Making transport safe and reliable benefits women and girls every day.
Health and Wellbeing
Women live longer but can often experience more years of illness.
Feeling unsafe stops girls and women from using parks, playing sports, or socialising as we would like.
Local services and community spaces can make a huge difference to our health and safety.
Who Are the Candidates?
Candidates are the people standing for election to your local council. They may belong to a political party or stand on their own as independents.
They want to be elected so they can make decisions about local services and policies - things like housing, transport, schools, parks, health services, and support for families.
When you vote, you choose who will make decisions that affect your daily life - and the lives of women and girls in your community.
The Pledge We Ask Candidates to Make
We ask candidates in local elections to commit to five simple actions:
Take action to improve the lives of women and girls
Make services safe, accessible, and fair
Listen to women and girls from all communities - and act on what they say
Put systems in place so that fairness isn’t optional
Consider women and girls in every decision, not as an afterthought
How You Can Take Part?
Talk about local issues with friends, family, or your community group.
Ask candidates how they will support women and girls.
Vote - even if local elections feel small, your vote carries real power.
Get involved in local campaigning. You are welcome to join us - sign up to our mailing list or get in touch below or work more locally with friends and women’s groups in your area.