News http://www.wlga.wales/news http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification mojoPortal Blog Module en-GB 120 no "Show that there is no place in society for violence against women" Conversations on accountability for violence against women should focus on the behaviour of perpetrators and not that of victims, says Wales’ Minister for Social Justice, as the world marks International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

Today [Thursday 25th November] also marks White Ribbon Day, the beginning of 16 days of activism aiming to end violence against women, putting the onus on men and boys to call out abusive and sexist behaviour among their friends, colleagues and communities.

 

Minister for Social Justice, Jane Hutt, said:

"Let it be clear that it is not for women to modify their behaviour, it is for abusers to change theirs. The constant and pervasive effects of male violence and gender inequality have conditioned women’s lives for far too long.

"White Ribbon Day and its 16 days of activism focus on empowering men and boys to call out inappropriate behaviours, when safe to do so, and offer support. Tackling male violence, gender inequality and misogyny require action at both ends of the spectrum; we must support survivors and we must hold perpetrators to account but we must also create genuine behaviour change.

"Only then can Wales truly uphold a culture of equality and respect - something we all must carry forward to ensure every single person can live fear free."

 

Councillor Huw David (Bridgend), WLGA Presiding Officer said:

"Violence against women in all its forms continues to be a devastating scourge in our communities. It is shocking that two women a week are killed by a current or former partner and 10,000 women a week experience sexual abuse in Wales and England. We must all continue to do all we can to bring such heinous behaviour to an end. Local government remains wholeheartedly committed to working to see this ambition realised."

 

Councillor Jane Mudd (Newport), WLGA Spokesperson for Equalities said:

"Every year, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women gives us all a chance to consider our actions. There are simply no excuses whatsoever to justify any such violence or abuse. I would urge everyone across all our communities to show their support by taking the White Ribbon Promise to never commit, excuse or remain silent about male violence against women. Together, we can all stand up loud and proud and show that there is no place in society for such barbaric behaviour."

 

The Welsh Government’s Violence against Women, Domestic abuse and Sexual Violence (VAWDASV) Annual Progress Report for 2020 to 2021 has also been published today, whilst a public consultation on how Wales can strengthen its National Strategy for the next 5 years is due to be launched on 7th December 2021.

This will include a focus on violence against women in the street and workplace, as well as the home, in order to make Wales the safest place in Europe to be a woman.

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http://www.wlga.wales/show-that-there-is-no-place-in-society-for-violence-against-women http://www.wlga.wales/show-that-there-is-no-place-in-society-for-violence-against-women http://www.wlga.wales/show-that-there-is-no-place-in-society-for-violence-against-women Thu, 25 Nov 2021 12:47:00 GMT
Wales’ councils committed to an Anti Racist Wales The WLGA and each of Wales’ councils have signed the #ZeroRacismWales pledge in advance of today’s publication of the Welsh Government’s draft Race Equality Action Plan for Wales and to mark last Sunday’s UN International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

 

Cllr Susan Elsmore (Cardiff), Joint WLGA Spokesperson for Equalities, Welfare Reform and Anti-Poverty said:

“We are committed to working with the Welsh Government and our communities to make Wales an anti-racist country. The Welsh Government’s Race Equality Action Plan is welcome in challenging our public bodies and wider society to do more. It demands leadership, it demands action and it demands change. We are committed to responding positively to this consultation to ensure we tackle racism and inequality in Wales.”

 

Cllr Mary Sherwood (Swansea), Joint WLGA Spokesperson for Equalities, Welfare Reform and Anti-Poverty said:

“I am pleased that Wales’ councils have signed the Zero Racism Wales pledge, taking a stand against racism and committing to promote a more inclusive and equal workplace and society. The WLGA Council also recently committed to an ambitious ‘’Diversity in Democracy’ action plan which aims to increase the diversity of candidates and councillors at next May’s local elections. Councils have worked towards reducing inequalities but the Race Equality Action Plan shows that we need concerted, collective action as racism remains within our society and inequality continues to adversely affect the lives of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people in Wales.”

 

-ENDS-

 

For further information

The Welsh Government’s Race Equality Action Plan has been shaped by people with lived experiences of racism and has been constructed through engagement with Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities and other key race stakeholders. The consultation document is available here: https://gov.wales/race-equality-action-plan-anti-racist-wales 

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http://www.wlga.wales/wales-councils-committed-to-an-anti-racist-wales http://www.wlga.wales/wales-councils-committed-to-an-anti-racist-wales http://www.wlga.wales/wales-councils-committed-to-an-anti-racist-wales Wed, 24 Mar 2021 19:43:00 GMT
Refugees support packs for teachers and schools now available online A specially designed toolkit, for teachers and schools to support the needs of refugee children who have resettled in Wales, is now available to access online.

Located on the Hwb online portal for education, the toolkit will aim to better support teachers and support staff in educating refugee children who have resettled in Wales.

It is hoped that helping schools to better understand the unique needs of refugee children will make the transition to their new lives in Wales a little easier.

The project was commissioned by the WLGA’s Strategic Migration Partnership, and the work was undertaken by Gwent Ethnic Minority Services (GEMS).

Councillor Susan Elsmore, WLGA Spokesperson for Equalities, said:

“It is difficult to imagine the anguish and the turmoil experienced especially by children as they flee their native countries to be resettled thousands of miles away and start anew. But by expanding our understanding of their circumstances and needs, we can help to make that transition a little easier for these children.”

“The toolkit will be a useful resource for teachers and school staff to draw on in order to ensure that these children are given the same chance to flourish in school as all other children in Wales.”

The toolkit is available for education staff to access at https://hwb.gov.wales

-ENDS-


Note for editors:

A Cultural Orientation pack has also been made available on the WLGA website: http://wlga.wales/resources-to-support-syrian-refugees-in-wales

Contact for enquiries:

For more information, please contact the WLGA Strategic Migration Partnership on: 02920 468658

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http://www.wlga.wales/refugees-support-packs-for-teachers-and-schools-now-available-online http://www.wlga.wales/refugees-support-packs-for-teachers-and-schools-now-available-online http://www.wlga.wales/refugees-support-packs-for-teachers-and-schools-now-available-online Wed, 20 Jun 2018 09:41:00 GMT
Local government to #PushForProgress on International Women’s Day International Women’s Day is being marked today by a host of activities across Wales to celebrate the contribution of women and to push for progress on equal gender representation.

Women’s network meetings, debates and exhibitions from inspirational women across various councils will be held, including a Swansea University debate with a cross-party panel including Councillor Mary Sherwood, WLGA Joint Spokesperson for Equalities, and Assembly Members to discuss women’s contribution and how to achieve progress on equal representation.

Amongst the other activities taking place are:

Cardiff City Hall and Swansea’s Castle Square being lit up in purple to mark International Women’s Day.

Wrexham County Borough Council encouraging and providing young women aged between 11 – 20 the opportunity to ‘shadow’ some of its inspirational women in various jobs and settings for the day.

An event at Chepstow School in Monmouthshire to celebrate and raise awareness of International Women’s Day, including advice and life stories from a range of local women who have become successful and led the way in what are perceived to be male-dominated industries.

However, WLGA is clear that more needs to be done to push for progress on this International Women’s Day to encourage more women to take part in the democratic process.

Cllr Mary Sherwood (Swansea), the WLGA’s joint Spokesperson for Equalities, Welfare Reform and Anti-Poverty said:

"It is important that we celebrate women’s achievements and contribution to public life, and remember the efforts of the brave suffragist pioneers who helped change the course of our history. We recently celebrated the centenary of partial suffrage in the UK, as influential and inspirational women from Wales, such as Lady Rhondda from Llanwern, Winifred Coombe Tennant from Neath and Emily Phipps from Swansea, contributed to the suffragist movement that helped bring about democratic equality in our country."

"Whilst we have seen much progress over the years, we are yet to achieve real equality in our democracy, in our politics or in our society; controversies in recent weeks such as the BBC pay scandal, the spotlight on women’s roles in sporting events and the shocking allegations of celebrity and political sexual misconduct and abuse all show how much further we have yet to go in the advancement of equality in our society."

Cllr Susan Elsmore (Cardiff), WLGA joint Spokesperson for Equalities, Welfare Reform and Anti-Poverty added:

"It is fantastic that a woman leads the WLGA for the first time, but we have only 4 leaders, 6 deputy leaders and 5 chief executives who are women across Wales’ 22 local authorities. Only 28% of Wales’ councillors are women and, at the current rate of progress, it could take another century to achieve equal representation within our council chambers."

"The WLGA is therefore committed to encouraging greater diversity amongst all under-represented groups and will be working with councils and partners to encourage greater engagement and participation in local democracy."

"In addition to today’s various activities and celebrations in all parts of Wales, a coordinated ‘Diversity in Democracy’ programme will continue up to the next local elections in 2022. The WLGA is a supporter of Chwarae Teg’s LeadHership programme, and senior women in local government have offered to support the Women’s Equality Network’s Mentoring Programme."

The Fawcett Society estimates that at the current rate of progress at each election, it will take 82 years for gender parity to be achieved in Welsh local government.

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http://www.wlga.wales/local-government-to-push-for-progress-on-international-women’s-day http://www.wlga.wales/local-government-to-push-for-progress-on-international-women’s-day http://www.wlga.wales/local-government-to-push-for-progress-on-international-women’s-day Thu, 08 Mar 2018 15:31:00 GMT