The Welsh Government has officially accepted proposals from Chwarae Teg’s ‘Gender Equality Review’ which set out the actions the government needs to take to help achieve its aims of making Wales a fair and just society.
This was published under the 2016 to 2021 administration of the Welsh Government
As part of their review, Chwarae Teg published a number of reports including ‘Deeds not Words’ and a roadmap for how Wales can achieve gender equality.
The recommendations have now been approved by Welsh Government Cabinet Ministers and plans for implementation have begun, including research to understand how rights and protections can be further reinforced.
By accepting the recommendations, the Welsh Government says it is “recognising the need to take an intersectional approach” and will extend the scope of its established Ministerial steering group which is specifically working to strengthen equalities and advance human rights for all in Wales.
The group - made up of organisations who work across a range of areas such as race, disability, LGBT+, and with young people – will provide “strategic direction and oversee implementation”, said a written statement from the Minister leading on equalities, Jane Hutt.
The Deputy Minister and Chief Whip said:
Equality is at the heart of this government’s work and Chwarae Teg’s Gender Equality Review will be a key part of our approach to strengthening equality and human rights in Wales.
We have been striving for equality for generations and we recognise to take forward these recommendations a long-term plan for change and sustained commitment will be required.
Our implementation plan will not only ensure that we are able to monitor and review progress but will also allow us to maintain focus and momentum.
We now need everyone to be engaged if we’re to achieve the level of change we all want to see.
Chief Executive of Chwarae Teg Cerys Furlong said:
I welcome the Welsh Government’s response to the Gender Equality Review and commitment to putting in place the necessary long-term plan to deliver the change we need to see.
The Welsh Government have shown leadership in adopting a new, ambitious vision for gender equality that will require a radical change in what we do and how we do it. We have been clear that to make this vision for gender equality a reality, we must ensure that good intentions translate into meaningful action. We therefore look forward to working with Welsh Government and others to implement the recommendations from the Review.
We have strong foundations on which to build in Wales but now is the time to be bold and start doing things differently so Wales can truly become a world leader for gender equality.”
Earlier this year the Welsh Government accepted recommendations from the Fair Work Commission’s report, committing to fair work as a way of building a stronger, more inclusive economy. It is also currently consulting on commencing Wales’ socio-economic duty as part of the Equality Act, which will formally require public bodies to put addressing inequalities at the heart of their strategic decisions.