Women from minority ethnic backgrounds and Gypsy and Traveller communities gathered at County Hall on 18 September 2026 for a Cardiff Council event aimed at encouraging greater participation in local democracy and political life.
The ‘Diversity in Democracy: Seeing Yourself in Politics’ event was hosted by the council in partnership with Let’s Interpret, There and Back Again and Elect Her. It gave women from under-represented communities the chance to meet elected members, share experiences and learn how they can get involved in shaping their communities.
The event supports Cardiff Council’s Participation Strategy 2023-2027, which aims to increase involvement in democracy and ensure local decision-making reflects the diversity of the city.
Through networking sessions, panel discussions and workshops, attendees heard from women councillors about their journeys into politics and explored ways people can contribute to public life. Participants also learned about the council’s Community Ambassadors Programme, which works with trusted local voices to share information and encourage engagement, and took part in an Elect Her workshop on political leadership and standing for election.
Cllr Bethan Proctor, Cardiff Council’s Cabinet Member for Social Justice, Cohesion and Digital, said: “Democracy works best when it reflects the people and communities it serves. Cardiff is a diverse city and it’s important that everyone feels their voice matters and that they can play a role in shaping decisions that affect their lives.
“This event has provided a valuable opportunity for women from under-represented communities to connect with councillors, learn more about how local democracy works and see that there are many different pathways into public life. We want people from all backgrounds to feel empowered to get involved and help shape Cardiff’s future.”
“We are grateful to Let’s Interpret, There and Back Again and Elect Her for their support in delivering the event and helping to engage communities that are often under-represented in local democracy.”
Hannah Stevens, Chief Executive of Elect Her, said: “Too many women look at their council chamber and don’t see themselves there – not because they lack the talent, but because nobody told them the door was open.
“Elect Her are delighted to be working with Cardiff Council, Let’s Interpret and There and Back Again to change that. You don’t need a political background to stand. You just need to want things to be better where you live, and to know people are ready to back you.”
Michele Aitchison, Let’s Interpret Project Coordinator at South Riverside Community Development Centre (SRCDC), said: “Having been involved in the delivery of democratic engagement workshops earlier this year, members of Let’s Interpret are thrilled to be given this opportunity to deepen their understanding of local democracy and to engage directly with elected women councillors.
“Many of our members are committed to supporting their communities – helping them to be better informed and to make their voices heard. This event has no doubt provided much inspiration for how they can build on this in the future, by connecting with and learning from other women who are interested in making a difference in public life.”
There and Back Again Director Rhiannon Jones said: “There and Back Again CIC is a community interest company for Gypsies and Travellers in Wales, and we have been working in partnership with Cardiff Council to improve the understanding of the democratic process. We have a group called Our Voices, which is made up of Romany, Gypsies and Irish Travellers who have been engaging with our sessions, meeting with decision makers, learning about the Human Rights and Equality Act, and all voted in the last election.
“Historically the uptake for voting with our families has been non-existent to extremely low. Our Voices made a video through this project, and we are so proud of them, and they all demonstrate an increased understanding of democracy and want to learn more. We are extremely grateful for this opportunity, and this project as part of Welsh Government’s Democratic Engagement Grant supports the generational change we are working towards.”
