Speaking at the UN's "Women in political participation" conference on 19 September? Catherine Ashton said "too often we still see in our societies that it’s harder if you are a woman to be able to succeed. It’s more challenging, there are more criticisms, more hurdles we have to get over, and there are more chances that you have to take. But for the next generation, I hope there will be examples in this room that they can look up to and show that it is worth it".