Terms of reference

The role of the Forum is to support the vision to advance gender equality in Wales. The Forum will offer advice and expertise to the Welsh Government on pressing and emergent issues that impact gender equality in Wales.

Support the Welsh Government to prioritise the Advancing Gender Equality in Wales Plan recommendations and emerging issues to reflect the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery, and the cost-of-living crisis.

Scrutinise progress against actions in the Welsh Government’s Advancing Gender Equality in Wales Plan and identify any barriers to progress.

Share knowledge and understanding to assist in the delivery and monitoring of the gender-related elements of the Welsh Government’s Equalities related plans.

Consult with networks and wider membership to help identify and understand pressing and emergent barriers to gender equality that women, men and non-binary people experience.

Provide expert support and advice to Cabinet Secretaries to understand the pressing and emergent barriers to gender equality and provide practical examples of how to overcome such barriers.

Ensure that any consideration of gender equality considers the intersection between gender, race, disability, being LGBTQ+ and other protected characteristics, and is inclusive and anti-discriminatory.

Support WG to further consider links and themes related to gender that  appear across other Equalities related plans in addition to broader Welsh Government policy on health, education, transport, work and the economy.

Identify possible areas for research to provide a sound evidence base for future policies and programmes.

Welsh Government officials who attend the Forum will contribute to discussions based on their expertise and experience, consider the issues that arise relating to their policy areas and provide advice as necessary, give updates on progress against actions allocated to them within the Advancing Gender Equality in Wales Plan and report back to policy colleagues on any areas where policies or programmes might be developed or amended to better promote equality of outcome for women, men and non-binary people. 

• Bawso
• Cardiff University                   
• EHRC Wales
• Fair Treatment for the Women of Wales
• Homestart Cymru
• National Federation of Women’s Institute Wales
• Oxfam Cymru
• Plan International
• Wales Trade Unions Congress
• Welsh Women’s Aid
• Women’s Equality Network Wales

The Gender Equality Forum will be chaired by the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Trefnydd and Chief Whip for 2 meetings a year and will also be chaired by an official for 2 meetings per year.

The secretariat will be provided by the Equality and Human Rights Division of the Welsh Government. 

The Gender Equality Forum will meet 4 times a year.

Papers will issue at least 3 working days ahead of any meeting.

Minutes will issue within 2 weeks of the meeting.

These terms of reference will be reviewed every 12 months by the Equality and Human Rights Division of the Welsh Government and the Forum members to ensure they remain fit for purpose and relevant over time.

Agendas, papers and minutes of meetings will be made available on request in hard copy or alternative formats.

The minutes of meetings will be published on the Welsh Government’s Gender Equality Forum webpage.

If members have any specific requirements to enable them to access a meeting, such as: accessible parking space, British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters, alternate language requirement, material in an alternate format, induction loop system, or any other requirement please notify the Secretariat as soon as possible and we will endeavour to meet your requirements.

All meeting papers are to be distributed in advance and provided in an accessible format.