Efua Dorkenoo

Advocacy Director, FGM Programme (London Office), Equality Now

We are heartened by this month's announcement by DFID of up to £35 million to address the issue of female genital mutilation (FGM) overseas and strongly commend the department on its new initiative.

Lauren Hossack

English and Modern History student at the University of St Andrews

Let's talk about lads. Specifically, lad culture. Call it what you like, dismiss it as a joke, but it doesn't hide the fact that it's just plain misogyny and sexism, with stereotypical, age-old notions of masculinity at the core.

Abi S. Wright

Founder of Spabreaks.com and Women of the Future Awards shortlister

In the four years since starting Spabreaks.com , I have donned two hats: one as an entrepreneur, and the other as a mum. As my little boy (who is not...

Lisa Clarke

Feminist activist with L plates

Working at No More Page 3 HQ we get accused quite regulalrly of being many things. Feminazis, prudes, pseudo-feminists, ugly with crap tits... you get the picture. One that pops up now and then and was indeed levelled (perhaps not directly at us) by Murdoch himself was that we are "too PC".

Linda Barker

Interior designer and a television presenter

"What was the most memorable experience from your childhood?" is a question that is often asked of us and I think that no matter what the answer is it is usually something which we did for the first time which pushed us into the unknown in some way and gave us our first adrenaline rush.

Inna Shevchenko

Leader of women's movement FEMEN, sextremist

The fate of the Femen Tunisia activist Amina Tyler has shaken up and united thousands of women across the globe. Amina's act of civil disobedience has brought down upon her the lethal hatred of inhuman beasts, for whom killing a woman is more natural than recognising her right to do as she pleases with her own body.

Dr Cara Tredget

Shell Technology Manager for Passenger Car Motor Oils

During my education and career as a scientist I have been lucky enough to be inspired and mentored by a number of fantastic female role models, and strongly believe this is a key enabler in encouraging the next generation of female scientists and engineers.

Jane Asscher

Founding Partner - Strategy and Management at 23red

Last Tuesday night Cosmopolitan magazine held a 'Celebration of Female Talent' at Kensington Palace as part of AdWeek Europe.

Lynne Featherstone

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Development

A fortnight ago I announced that the UK, through the Department for International Development, would throw its weight behind the global movement to finally bring an end Female Genital Cutting (FGC). Momentum is building and I firmly believe we have a chance to end the practice within a generation...

Lulu

Singer, songwriter and performer

Today at 64, I firmly believe that I am ageing victoriously, in large part due to the positive examples set by those who are ageing in the spotlight. These are five lessons I think we can all benefit from...

Julie White

Managing Director D-Drill Group and First Women Awards shortlister

There were positive announcements in the Budget. It is clear, with his announcements on shared equity, that the government is trying to stimulate both ends of the property chain and that is to be welcomed.

Anne-Marie Scully

Author of infertility memoir, Motherhoodwinked and founder of digital publishing company Orchard Wall Publishing

Since its release just over two weeks ago, much has been said and written about Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg's new book, Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will To Lead. I am not one of Sheryl's haters, in fact, having had the opportunity to witness her speak on a number of occasions while we both worked at Google, I can testify that she is a truly inspirational woman. However, I feel that her story only represents one type of woman, the successful woman in business who also has children.

Heidi Murkoff

Author, 'What to Expect' series

Childcare is more likely to be divided more equitably between parents too. Many of our mums commented that their partners are more involved than their dads were when they were growing up - and others noted that the shift towards greater sharing of the baby care workload is inevitable, given that most mums (as dads) are juggling parenthood with a career.

Hilary Thomas

Partner, KPMG ELLP and former First Women Awards winner

Twelve months ago I was delighted to be nominated for the First Women Awards, in association with Lloyds Banking Group, by colleagues at KPMG if somewhat surprised that my unplanned and atypical career was attracting headlines.

Julian Bond

Director of the Christian Muslim Forum since its launch in 2006

I recall that the first national event that we organised at the Christian Muslim Forum was an 'Imams and Ministers' conference. It was not the most inclusive name and few women (Christian or Muslim) were present. In fact, the feedback from the female Christian ministers was 'where are the Muslim women?'

Laura Dunn

Blogger, freelance journalist, author, advisor

Like many others, I've been curious to read Sheryl Sandberg's 'feminist manifesto' encouraging women and girls to lean in and make a difference.