Local MP, Stephen Metcalfe,
welcomed 17 year old Lea Musisi from the Basildon Upper Academy to Parliament
for International Women’s Day (IWD) today.
IWD falls on 8th
March and Parliamentarians marked the occasion by inviting young women from
their constituencies to shadow them for the day. As well as seeing a House of
Commons debate, Lea was treated to a tour of Downing Street and afternoon tea
with the Speaker, John Bercow MP.
Lea is currently in year 12
and is studying English, Law, History and Psychology. She commented: “I was
fascinated to learn that a lot of the work Stephen does can be from things as
national as looking at situations abroad, to trying to get funding to build
memorials in our local area of Basildon. It was an inspiring and insightful day
and one which I shall remember for a long time to come.”
IWD aims to celebrate the
positive contribution women have made and are making to society and to
highlight the achievements of women from around the world. Annually, thousands
of events are held to serve this purpose and a global web of rich and diverse
local activity connects women from all around the world ranging from political
rallies, business conferences, government activities through to local women's
craft markets.
Mr Metcalfe invited a student
from the Basildon Upper Academy after the recent ‘Inspiring futures’ event at
the school which aimed to inspire women and demonstrate that there is no cap on
their potential.
Mr Metcalfe said: “I was
delighted to be able to welcome Lea to Parliament for International Women’s Day
and it was a very fitting way to build on the Inspiring women event at the
Academy. There was a fantastic itinerary and it was a great opportunity to
celebrate the achievements of women both today and throughout history.”
“I have no doubt that Lea has
an incredibly bright future ahead of her and I look forward to seeing what she
and other young women in South Basildon and East Thurrock go on to achieve.”
