Female councillors got together at Hackney Town Hall on International Women’s Day to celebrate the trailblazing work being done in the borough.

Women occupy both deputy mayor posts (Cllr Anntoinette Bramble and Cllr Feryal Demirci) and outnumber men in the cabinet, and the borough has a female speaker, Cllr Clare Potter. (The top job, however, is still done by Phil Glanville, a man.)

Penny Wrout’s election at the most recent by-election in Victoria Ward has balanced out genders of the Labour group in the council chamber, which is now comprised of 26 female and 26 male councillors.

Penny said: “It’s an optimistic sign to have achieved gender parity. International Women’s Day is a moment to reflect on what women have achieved and the special qualities we can bring to public life, and in Hackney we’re blazing a trail.

“It’s a strong message to young women who want to make the world a better place, showing it is possible to get involved in politics and make change happen.”