Campaign update: gender equality raised in the Senedd

Last month, we launched our first ever template letter to Senedd Members. Since then, we’ve been thrilled to see gender equality raised in the Senedd multiple times following the summer recess.

A huge thank you to everyone that has joined the campaign and sent a message to their newly elected MSs. We’re over the moon to see that nearly 100 emails have been sent already – a great result!

Because of these emails, we’ve seen gender equality raised more frequently in the Senedd, helping us push for better paid jobs for women, and more flexible and affordable childcare.

So far we’ve seen:

• A speech on International Equal Pay Day and the gender pay gap by Sarah Rees MS.
• Questions asked of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister on the need for flexible childcare by Kiera Marshall and Mike Hedges MS.
• Several Senedd Members sending questions in writing to the Welsh Government on gender equality. This includes:
  • Niamh Salkeld, Paul Davies, Art Wright and Lynne Neagle MS tabling questions on childcare.
  • Shav Taj MS tabling questions on economic inequality, and equal political representation.
• And another question asked to the First Minister on better training and employment opportunities for women by Lindsay Whittle MS.

Our campaigning is working. Every email sent to Senedd Members helps raise gender equality up the political priority list, and moves us closer to change. It shows how ordinary people can influence politicians, have their voices heard by people in power, and make change.

In particular, we were pleased to see the commitment from the First Minister, Rhun ap Iorwerth, to the principle of parents being able to access their childcare entitlements flexibly. This is a great step forward.

However, there is still so much to do.

As our recent State of the Nation report showed, gender equality in Wales has stalled. The gender pay gap has widened, women’s employment has fallen, political representation remains fragile, and violence against women and girls is endemic. In many ways, women in Wales are worse off than they were a few years ago.

This letter writing campaign is just the start. Keep your eyes peeled for a new way to get involved in our work in the near future…