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  • Who we are
  1. About
  2. Who we are

Who we are

The Fawcett Society is the UK’s leading membership charity campaigning for gender equality and women’s rights at work, at home and in public life. Our vision is a society in which women and girls in all their diversity are equal and truly free to fulfill their potential creating a stronger, happier, better future for us all.

We’ve been advancing women’s equality since 1866 when at just 19, Millicent Fawcett collected signatures on a petition for women’s votes. She went on to lead the constitutional suffrage campaign and made this cause her lifetime’s work, securing equal voting rights 62 years later.

Today we continue her legacy of fighting sexism and gender inequality through hard-hitting research. Our national campaigns shape the debate and drive change - and they are only made possible through the support of our members. Be part of our movement for equality. Join us now.  

What are we fighting for?

The Fawcett Society campaigns to:

Fight for equal pay. 50 years from the Equal Pay Act, women deserve the right to know what a male colleague doing the same work is paid if they suspect pay discrimination.

Secure equal power. Just 34% of MPs and 35% of councillors are women. We're campaigning to get more women in all our diversity into politics at every level.

Challenge attitudes and change minds. We are working to tackle gender stereotypes that hold back our children.

Defend women’s rights during Covid-19. We're campaigning to ensure that women are not left behind or their needs ignored during the crisis.

Our vision

A society in which women and girls in all their diversity are equal and truly free to fulfil their potential creating a stronger, happier, better future for us all. 

Our mission

  • We publish compelling research to educate, inform and lead the debate
  • We bring together politicians, academics, grassroots activists and wider civil society to develop innovative, practical solutions
  • We campaign with women and men to make change happen

Our values

Dynamic, bold, spirited, pioneering. Respected, practical credible. Engaging, plain speaking, approachable.

Our impact

Read our impact report 2020 here.

End gender inequality for good. Join The Fawcett Society today.

Our campaigning and research would not be possible without the support of our members. Stand up for women's rights. Join our movement today.

Fawcett Society Year End Accounts

To view our most recent annual accounts for 2021 here.

Download our previous annual accounts: 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015

Published: 10th March, 2017

Updated: 18th October, 2021

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  • Who we are

    Who we are

    The Fawcett Society is the UK’s leading membership charity campaigning for gender equality and women’s rights. If you believe in a society where no one is prevented from reaching their full potential because of their gender, join us today.

  • Work with us

    Work with us

    Come and join us in our work to achieve gender equality! We are recruiting two exciting new roles. We are a dynamic, friendly team in a supportive and caring working environment.

  • Join our movement for women's rights

    Join our movement for women's rights

    We campaign for gender equality. At home, at work, and in public life. Join us — become a Fawcett member today!

  • Close the gender pay gap

    Close the gender pay gap

    Did you know it will take 100 years to close the gender pay gap at current rates? We cannot afford to keep going backwards.

  • Our history

    Our history

    Millicent Fawcett began campaigning for women’s equality in 1866, and was instrumental in achieving first votes for women in 1918. At The Fawcett Society, we’ve continued her legacy of fighting sexism through impactful research and hard-hitting campaigns for over 155 years.

  • Equal Pay

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    The Equal Pay Act in the UK is not fit for purpose. We're calling to end pay secrecy with a legal 'Right to Know'. The time for change is now.

  • Sex Discrimination Law Review

    Sex Discrimination Law Review

    How do we make equality law in the UK fit for the 21st century? Create a fairer and more equal society by supporting our Law Review.

  • Find a local group

    Find a local group

    We’re delighted to have a growing number of active and effective local women’s rights meet ups, who work in the local community to enforce change and campaign on our behalf. Their work is invaluable to Fawcett.

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    THE GENDER PAY GAP SERIES

    We are hosting a series of Gender Pay Gap reporting events to help businesses drive positive change. Watch video clips and download speaker slides from each event here.

  • Our staff

    The Fawcett team is working remotely as well as out of our offices in Shoreditch, East London. Read more about us and how you can get in touch here.

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We wouldn't be able to do it without you

We've come so far in a century of campaigning for gender equality, but our work isn't over yet.

Without our members we simply wouldn’t have the funds or the voice to make real change and progress on key issues such as sex discrimination, the gender pay gap and women’s representation in public and political life.

Join today

Inspire others: Volunteer with Future Fawcett

2018 marks 100 years since women first secured the right to vote, and we're marking it by launching Future Fawcett, an education outreach programme to inspire young people through our suffrage history, and teach them about women's rights today.

We need volunteers to make it happen. Are you ready to inspire the next generation of feminists?

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We don't want to see the clocks go back on women's rights. We need your help to stop that from happening.

From holding a gender pay gap bake sale to running a marathon, there are so many ways you can raise vital funds for us. Every penny will go towards making Britain a fairer society.

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We've been fighting for over 150 years to win hard-earned rights for women living in Britain. With Brexit on the horizon, it's more important than ever that we stand together to defend them. Will you stand with us, and help end gender inequality for good?

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