Emma and Janet Foster, Ambassador for Coeliac UK, met with Gordon Brown and Sarah Brown in Downing Street yesterday on the occasion of International Women's Day.

Emma Reynolds said: "Local activist, Janet Foster and I had the chance to go to 10 Downing Street yesterday evening on the occasion of International Women's Day. It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the progress the Government has made in achieving greater equality between men and women.

"I discussed with Gordon and Sarah my concerns for Wolverhampton."

"Janet and I were amongst women MPs, Ministers and local community activists from across the country. Women from every corner of the United Kingdom whose impressive work in their local communities is inspirational."

Janet Foster said: "It was a fantastic opportunity to visit one of the most famous places in London. It was an honour to meet our Prime Minister and to represent Coeliac UK."

Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: “It is great to be able to meet so many inspiring women today; women who are making a real difference in their
communities day in day out.

“International Women’s Day is a chance for us to join with our colleagues throughout the world
and celebrate our achievements and acknowledge where more work needs to be
done.
 
“As a party we lead by example; Labour has the best record of any UK political
party in terms of women’s representation – we have more than three times the
number of women MPs than all the opposition parties put together - and we have done more
than any government in history to support fairness and equality.

“Labour has delivered more equal wages and the better opportunities, education and training
which vastly improve the freedom of women and their families to get on in life.

“The women I have met today are an inspiration to me and to the whole Labour
government and their achievements are a reminder that when we act together,
real lives really change."