The voices of women in Wales could be lost in these times of austerity, Communities & Tackling Poverty Minister Jeff Cuthbert will warn today (Fri 7th March).
Speaking at an event in Penarth to mark International Women’s Day, he will highlight how the progress society has made in creating greater gender equality could be under threat through the impact of cuts to public spending and changes to welfare.
The Welsh Government has chosen the theme of ‘Empowering Women in Wales in Times of Austerity’ for this year’s International Women’s Day and has awarded £24,000 of funding for events across Wales.
Jeff Cuthbert said:
“In this tough economic climate, there is a danger that efforts to ensure gender equality could be lost, women could become less visible and their voices not heard as the impact of the austerity and welfare reform hit.
“We know that with a few exceptions, the welfare reforms adversely affect more females than males in terms of the impact on incomes.
“Our own research into the welfare changes suggest that women in Wales are more likely to be adversely affected and tend to lose the most compared to men. We are talking about changes that will mean disruption for women already claiming much needed support at a time of a tough jobs market and economic insecurity.
“The Welsh Government is committed to creating a fair and equitable Wales. We must listen to evidence and take what action we can to alleviate the effect that austerity measures are having on women and families in Wales. I believe our economy is strongest when everyone has the chance to contribute. In the current economic climate, that means we must help parents to balance working life with family life, and tackle the barriers that restrict participation in the workplace.
“In these tough economic times International Women’s Day becomes more important than ever. It ensures that women and the issues they are facing remain visible, that their voices will be heard and their contribution recognised.”
