Why are the Orange Prize for Fiction and Award for New Writers only open to women?

At the time it was set up the considerable achievements of women novelists were often passed over by the major literary prizes.

The founders of the Orange Prize for Fiction wanted to do something about that. Which they did, very successfully.

Now into its second decade - as well as making a massive, practical difference to the winners - the Orange Prize for Fiction is firmly established and has made a major impact on the literary landscape.