Women and Equalities Committee

Scrutiny of government policy and public bodies on women's rights, gender equality, and discrimination across all protected characteristics falls within the remit of this House of Commons select committee. The committee takes oral evidence from ministers, officials, experts and affected individuals across multiple inquiry sessions held throughout the parliamentary year. Members investigate equality and diversity initiatives, examining their effectiveness through expert panels and stakeholder testimony. Recent work has examined women's representation and funding in live comedy, hearing from performers and industry witnesses about barriers to progression. The committee has investigated female entrepreneurship through the Invest in Women Taskforce, exploring support mechanisms for women-led businesses. Separate inquiries have scrutinised the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority's regulation of egg donation and freezing, as well as online misogyny in the manosphere and its amplification through media platforms.