A PROJECT aiming to promote politics to young women across Wales has received the support of the Torfaen AM.

Chwarae Teg, the gender equality charity, has launched the #LeadHerShip scheme, which hopes to make politics more accessible to young Welsh women ahead of International Women’s Day 2018 in March.

Lynne Neagle, who has sat as the Torfaen AM since the National Assembly for Wales was established in 1999, will be participating in the project, which will start at the end of February.

Ms Neagle said: “Women are still notably absent from decision-making roles in Wales – they account for only 28 per cent of our MPs and councillors and some 42 per cent of our assembly members.

“In the year that marks 100 years of women having the vote, it is a wonderful way for young women to find out how decisions about health, education and tackling poverty are made in Wales."

She added: “As an AM that represents the south Wales valleys, I particularly hope that young women from the valleys will put themselves forward for this initiative.

“I am delighted to support this scheme.”

The scheme which is open to young women aged between 16 and 25 will see participants shadow their Assembly Member for the day on Tuesday, February 27.

The day will include a tour of the Assembly, a question session with female AMs and a mock debate about the role of women in Wales today.

Cerys Furlong, the chief executive of Chwarae Teg, said: “People in these roles make decisions affecting every area of our lives and it’s important to make sure that women’s voices are heard so these decisions affect everyone fairly.

“We want young women’s voices to be heard at the highest levels of Welsh politics to raise the issues that matter most to them."

She added: "Our #LeadHerShip initiative is a chance for women who are interested in politics to gain first-hand experience from some inspiring role models, and I strongly encourage young women to put themselves forward for this exciting opportunity.”

The Torfaen AM is one of three female Gwent assembly members, alongside Newport West’s Jayne Bryant and Islwyn’s Rhianon Passmore, currently sitting in the Senedd.

Meanwhile, Ms Neagle’s constituency of Torfaen has the third-most gender diverse local authority in Wales, with 16 of the 43 current sitting council members - 37.2 per cent of the council - being women.

Only Swansea and Rhondda Cynon Taf councils have a higher percentage of female councillors - 41.7 per cent and 41.3 per cent respectively.

The deadline for applications is 5pm on Friday, January 26 and to find out more from Chwarae Teg, you can visit their website cteg.org.uk/leadhership.