Welsh Ministers have today welcomed a review by Chwarae Teg and the Wales Centre for Public Policy into the Welsh Government’s gender equality policies.
This was published under the 2016 to 2021 administration of the Welsh Government
On International Women’s Day, First Minister Carwyn Jones committed to make Wales a world leader in gender equality and commissioned a rapid review to bring new impetus to the Welsh Government’s work.
Chwarae Teg’s report, which is the first phase of a two-part review, examined the Welsh Government’s gender equality policies and considered them alongside examples of global best practice presented in the WCPP’s report.
The review found that, while much has been achieved in Wales, gender inequality remains a stubborn feature of Welsh life. Today’s report lays the foundation for change based on three key themes:
Vision and Leadership - while the report found Wales has some world leading legislation, more must be done to maximise its full potential to have a greater impact. The Welsh Government also has an important role to play in leading by example as both an employer and a policy-maker to drive lasting change.
Policy in Practice looks at the way the Welsh Government designs and implements policies and legislation. The report has identified areas of good practice and made recommendations about how this can be delivered more consistently.
External Scrutiny and Accountability finds that external scrutiny is welcomed and that effective scrutiny drives behaviour change. The report identifies that there is scope to strengthen accountability across the legislative and regulatory framework.
Phase Two of the review will consider these challenges and develop clear objectives, measurable targets and financial implications of their recommendations.
First Minister Carwyn Jones said:
“Chwarae Teg’s report shines a light on the things we need to improve and challenges us to do better. It also presents exciting opportunities for change and I am proud to say that my Cabinet has signed up to the report and has committed to integrating gender equality into policy and decision making.
“Change needs to happen if Wales is going to become a world leader in women’s rights and gender equality. As the report says, we already have world-leading legislation in place and some progress has been made, but we must be more ambitious if we want to become a Feminist Government and improve the lives of women and girls.”
The Leader of the House, Julie James, said:
“This report is a direct and significant challenge to us - this is just what we expected and wanted.
“The report begins to pose the questions we need to ask ourselves and consider what we can do to strengthen the building blocks for achieving gender equality. There is vision and leadership in Wales to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment; however, it needs to be strengthened. We can and will do better.”