Mandu Reid facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mandu Reid
Mandu Reid in Manchester on 30 September 2021. Photo by Carol Ann Whitehead.
Leader of the Women's Equality Party
In office April 2019 – 17 November 2024
Preceded by	Sophie Walker
Succeeded by	Office abolished
Personal details
Born	1981 (age 43–44) Malawi
Nationality	British
Political party	Women's Equality Party
Residence	London
Alma mater	London School of Economics
Occupation	Politician
Website	Women's Equality Party

Mandu Reid is a British politician and activist. She was born in Malawi in 1981. From April 2019 until November 2024, she was the leader of the Women's Equality Party (WEP).

Early Life and Education

Mandu Reid's mother is from Malawi, and her father is British. They met in Malawi, where her father was teaching English. Mandu was born there.

In 1982, her family moved to the United Kingdom. They also lived in Somalia and Eswatini (which used to be called Swaziland). Later, they returned to the UK, where Mandu finished her high school education.

Growing up in Eswatini as a mixed-race child, Mandu became aware of unfairness and prejudice. While attending school in England, she faced racist comments because she was the only Black student.

Mandu Reid went on to study at the London School of Economics, a well-known university.

Career and Activism

After finishing university, Mandu Reid worked in project management. She worked for important government departments like HM Treasury, which manages the UK's money, and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. She also worked for the Greater London Authority, which governs London.

In 2015, Mandu started a charity called The Cup Effect. This charity helps women and girls who struggle to afford period products. It gives them menstrual cups in the UK and East Africa.

Political Journey

Mandu Reid first joined the Labour Party in 2010. Later, in 2018, she moved to the Women's Equality Party (WEP).

As a member of WEP, Mandu ran in a special election in Lewisham East in 2018. She came in fifth place.

Mandu has strongly supported policies that help parents share childcare equally and allow for flexible working. She became the WEP spokesperson for equal parenting in 2018. Her personal experiences helped her understand the challenges people face when trying to balance a career and family life. This led her to focus on these issues in politics.

In April 2019, Mandu Reid became the interim leader of the Women's Equality Party. She was officially confirmed as the party leader in January 2020. She has been noted as the first Black, bisexual leader of a political party in the UK.

During the Black Lives Matter movement, Mandu Reid wrote to the then-prime minister, Boris Johnson. She expressed her support for the movement. Under her leadership, the Women's Equality Party also spoke out about racial injustice in the UK.

Mandu Reid was the WEP candidate for the 2021 London mayoral election. She finished tenth in that election.

Mandu has also written articles sharing her opinions for newspapers like The Independent and The Huffington Post.