Record tally for women with 584 on Queen’s list
Officials hail progress but say much work needs to be done to ensure honours represent all of Britain
A RECORD number of women have been included in the Birthday Honours list marking the Platinum Jubilee.
The 584 women, representing 51.5 per cent of the total, trumps the previous record of 556, set in December 2020.
The list, with its themes of sustained service and environmentalism, offers a reflection of the Queen’s own decades of public service.
Boris Johnson said: “This historic Platinum Jubilee is not only a celebration of the monarch but of the qualities she possesses. The honours she confers this week reflect many of those qualities that have been invaluable from all different walks of life and to communities across the UK. I pay tribute to all of this year’s winners.”
The record number of female recipients marks a successful drive by the honours committee to increase the representation of women since reforms to the system in 2005.
Nevertheless, there remains work for the committee to do. Women remain underrepresented at the highest levels of awards. Just 44.8 per cent of CBE level and above are female, and there are 21 knighthoods to just 13 damehoods.
Dame Barbara Monroe, chairman of the public service committee, said it was working to redress this as well as to increase the number of working-class honorees, the overall representation of ethnic minorities and inclusion of specific minority groups.
However, the committee can only consider candidates presented to it and therefore much of the work to increase diversity focuses on promoting applications among underrepresented communities, she added.
“The list can only be truly representative if we receive nominations for consideration from all groups of society and all parts of the UK. And we continue to work really hard to promote the fact that anybody can nominate someone they consider worthy of an award,” said Dame Barbara.
Of the recipients, 13.3 per cent are from an ethnic minority background, 9.3 per cent are disabled or have a longterm health condition, 24.3 per cent consider themselves to come from a lower socio-economic background and 4.6 per cent are LGBT.
A number of campaigners for women’s rights at national and local levels make the list. Among them is Alexis Bowater, a former journalist and victim of cyber-stalking who campaigns for better protection and help for women. She was given an OBE.
As well as campaigners and community workers, the honours list also recognises numerous women who have had a positive impact from prominent positions.
Dame Susan Ion is to receive a Dame Grand Cross for her impact in nuclear engineering and fostering a new generation of engineers among under-represented communities.
She has been outspoken on the idea that girls are drawn towards easier subjects than maths and physics.
Dame Linda Colley, a historian of the British Empire who has written extensively about the creation of British identity, including the place of women, has been made a Dame Commander.