Leadership in Parliament is not just for men

International Women's Day 2025 (Credit: House of Commons)

3 min read08 March

For me, International Women’s Day is twofold: it’s a day to advocate for the rights of women facing adversity, and to highlight the issues disproportionally faced by women and girls around the world. Whether it’s violence against women and girls in the UK, or the oppression of women’s freedoms in Afghanistan.

Needing some light with the shade, I also take International Women’s Day to mark the wins; the ways in which society is improving for women and girls.

Back in July, after much deliberation about what I could put my mind to in the new Parliament, I put my name in the hat for chairing the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee. Having previously served as shadow minister for Northern Ireland, I felt willing and able to hold the government to account on its behalf. Scrutiny is a cornerstone of our democracy, and I have never been one to bite my tongue when it comes to accountability and transparency.

With female chairs, we have the potential for more thoughtful and considered scrutiny

For years, leadership positions in the UK Parliament have been dominated by men. Select committees, which play a crucial role in scrutinising government policy, holding ministers to account, and investigating various national issues, have traditionally been male-led.

When the general election was called last May, each of the three devolved affairs committees was chaired by a man. Now, in a complete swoop, we have three chairwomen. My Labour colleagues Patricia Ferguson and Ruth Jones chair the Scottish and Welsh Affairs Committees respectively. With three women now in charge of these important committees, it sends a powerful message about the breaking down of long-standing gender barriers in political leadership.

Politicians often talk about the sanctity of the union in Westminster. As a Welsh MP, it’s something I’m acutely aware of. Devolution is vital, but we mustn’t fall into the trap of ignoring the devolved nations here. The Northern Ireland, Scottish and Welsh affairs committees are hugely important avenues for giving voices to the nations and bursting the Westminster bubble.

With oral questions for the departments only taking place every six weeks, the committees are key in ensuring that devolution works – and when it doesn’t, they are vital in pursuing accountability. In recent years, the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee has performed an essential role in the instances where power sharing in Stormont has collapsed.

As chair of the Welsh Affairs Committee, my colleague Ruth Jones spoke in the St David’s Day debate about maintaining a collegiate cross-party approach to deliver the best for the people of Wales. She has positioned the committee as a critical friend which has already secured key evidence and commitments from the Welsh secretary Jo Stevens and First Minister Eluned Morgan – notably two women leading for Wales in government.

Chairing a select committee can be challenging, particularly when dealing with sensitive subject matters. For example, one of the current inquiries of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee is on addressing legacy issues. Studies show that women often bring collaborative leadership styles that prioritise inclusivity, dialogue and consensus-building. These are hugely valuable qualities when working on complex issues that require balanced and well-rounded resolutions. With female chairs, we have the potential for more thoughtful and considered scrutiny which, I believe, benefits the overall effectiveness of committees.

Having more women in positions of power in Parliament sends a message to young women and girls: it’s not just for men. As we look towards a more balanced future, I hope that we, as select committee chairs, are helping to pave the way for a more inclusive, effective and equitable political system in the UK.

Tonia Antoniazzi is Labour MP for Gower and chair of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee

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