Women from across the UK give their views to Cabinet to mark International Women's Day
Communities and Local Government News Release 2007/0038
08 March 2007
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In a discussion session hosted by Minister for Women Ruth Kelly and six of her fellow female Cabinet members, over forty women debated the issues that were important to them and their priorities for action.
Issues raised by the women ahead of Cabinet included the Government's action plan to tackle the gender pay gap, extended childcare support through schools, the flexibility of maternity and paternity rights, domestic violence and slavery and human trafficking.
The women attending are recognised as community champions for the active roles they play in their communities and represent a range of organisations - from Linda Hines of Birmingham, who has been a key figure in pushing forward housing regeneration and improving the safety of the area in which she lives; to Parveen Mirza who runs the Asian Women’s Project in Nottingham, a dynamic project which includes a community radio station, a successful crèche and provides training and development for socially excluded people.
Prime Minister Tony Blair, who welcomed the women to the event, said;
"I am proud of the extra support and help the Government have given women over the last 10 years. We have increased financial help for families, virtually doubled maternity pay and maternity leave, expanded childcare provision and, for example, introduced a minimum wage which has boosted the incomes of hundreds of thousands of women.
"But there's more to do to remove the barriers which prevent women making the most of their talents and potential and to help them balance the pressures of work and family. So International Women’s Day gives us an opportunity both to celebrate the vital contribution of women in Britain and the wider world - and to reflect on what more we can do to support them."
Minister for Women Ruth Kelly said;
"Over the last ten years, the Government has made great progress in breaking down the barriers preventing women participating in the political, economic and social life of our country. No Government has done more to revolutionise the way we support women - whether they are a working mum, a carer, young girls starting out in life, or providing support for victims of domestic violence and working to end the disgrace of human trafficking.
"But we must not be complacent, there are new challenges to be faced in the future. Today provides a welcome opportunity to take stock and listen to women about how our policies are working for them and their communities, and most importantly their ideas for the policies we should be taking forward over the coming years."
The breakfast session kicked off a day of cross Government events to mark International Women's Day. Events include;
- A House of Commons debate on women, justice and gender equality in the UK led the Deputy Minister for Women Meg Munn
- A House of Lords debate on the Government’s achievements for women in the UK and internationally led by Lords Minister Baroness Andrews
- Secretary of State for International Development Hilary Benn will address an ActionAid and One World Action panel on 'Women’s Rights in the Age of Insecurity’
- Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker will address a panel event on the Government’s action plan to tackle human trafficking
- Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister Kim Howells will address a seminar to promote women's equal participation with men in peace building
- Trade and Industry Minister Margaret Hodge will address a 'Today’s Girls, Tomorrow’s Future’ on the women’s enterprise taskforce.
Amongst those who attended the event was Parveen Mirza, who runs the Asian Women’s Project in Nottingham. She said:
“Today’s event has been an ideal opportunity for women from across the country to get together and share our experiences and views with Ruth Kelly and her cabinet colleagues. It is vital that women play a full and active role in their communities and International Women’s Day is the ideal time for women to debate the issues which are important to them.”
Note to editors
1. Government has introduced a whole raft of practical measures to support women in the different aspects of their lives; www.communities.gov.uk/embedded_object.asp?id=1508568 [PDF]
2. Ruth Kelly, Minister for Women, hosted the event. Also attending were Patricia Hewitt, Tessa Jowell, Jacqui Smith, Val Amos, Hazel Blears and Hilary Armstrong.
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