Diversity Matters: Intersectionality and Women's Representation in the USA and UK

Women’s organisations can help address some specific challenges faced by different groups of women during the political recruitment process. This article explores whether US and UK organisations do so. Legislative composition analysis confirms women of colour are under-represented, although they are better represented in the US than UK; women with disabilities are under-represented in both countries, along with younger women in the US and older women in the UK. Interviews with US women’s organisations reveal a greater attention to diversity, particularly with regards women of colour; however, the focus remains on increasing overall number of women in both countries.