A councillor says it is embarrassing that there is only a handful of Asian women councillors in the North West.

Hasina Khan is a councillor in Chorley and is one of handful of Asian women councillors in the North West. She says politics in predominantly Asian wards continue to be controlled by Asian men who simply do not want to encourage women to go into politics.

She said, “Asian women do want to get involved in politics at a local level as it is still very much a male only environment.

“ I admit there are fewer white women councillors in general but within the Asian community the figure is embarrassing.”

“I am sad to say you get invited to these meetings and there is hardly any women. Many of the issues affecting our community can only be solved with more involvement from the women.

“Many are also put off by the baradari (caste) system and the role it plays in selecting and voting in candidates.

“Should it still matter what part of India, Pakistan or Bangladesh you come from?

“If women were to get involved there would be less emphasis on this.

“I speak to many Asian women who would love to get involved in their local community and politics but find they simply do not think they would be accepted in a male only environment.”

Across the North West there are still only five Asian women councillors on local wards.

“I have survived as I am in Chorley where there is a smaller Asian community than most other areas.

“It would make huge difference in our communities if more women were involved in local politics.”

Cllr Khan admitted there were many Asian male councillors who had looked to get more women into local politics in their wards.

“I see some Asian male councillors who want to see change. They realise that their communities could benefit more from more Asian women coming forward.

She added, “I’m not a fan of an all woman shortlist but there needs to be a proper reflection of our community on the council.”