This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-21634489
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Welsh government's 40% quota for women on public bodies | Welsh government's 40% quota for women on public bodies |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| More women need to be appointed to the boards of public bodies, the Welsh government says. | More women need to be appointed to the boards of public bodies, the Welsh government says. |
| It has set a target for women to be appointed to at least 40% of places on public boards. | It has set a target for women to be appointed to at least 40% of places on public boards. |
| Ministers say they are concerned by research that suggests fewer women are taking up roles in public life. | Ministers say they are concerned by research that suggests fewer women are taking up roles in public life. |
| They pointed to the example of Sport Wales, the national organisation for promoting sport which has tried to reach out to women. | They pointed to the example of Sport Wales, the national organisation for promoting sport which has tried to reach out to women. |
| Led by chairwoman Laura McAllister, the gender balance of Sport Wales' board went from eight men and one woman to five women and nine men in 2012. | Led by chairwoman Laura McAllister, the gender balance of Sport Wales' board went from eight men and one woman to five women and nine men in 2012. |
| Potential female candidates were approached directly and encouraged to apply, and Sport Wales changed the wording of its application material to try to make it more "gender-friendly". | Potential female candidates were approached directly and encouraged to apply, and Sport Wales changed the wording of its application material to try to make it more "gender-friendly". |
| The number of women applying to join the board trebled in 2012 after the changes were made, and other organisations have been urged to follow its example. | The number of women applying to join the board trebled in 2012 after the changes were made, and other organisations have been urged to follow its example. |
| Research cited in Welsh government cabinet papers says female appointments to the boards of executive bodies that are funded by the Welsh government fell from 38% in 2009 to 35% in April 2012. | Research cited in Welsh government cabinet papers says female appointments to the boards of executive bodies that are funded by the Welsh government fell from 38% in 2009 to 35% in April 2012. |
| For NHS bodies including the patients' watchdog the Community Health Councils, the percentage of women appointed fell from 48% to 47%. | |
| The Welsh government has a commitment to seek to introduce a 40% quota for women on public sector boards, inspired by Norway, which has that quota for company boards. | The Welsh government has a commitment to seek to introduce a 40% quota for women on public sector boards, inspired by Norway, which has that quota for company boards. |
| The Welsh government says it is considering options on how to achieve the 40% target. Legislation is not being ruled out, but officials say the quota could be achieved through other means. | |
| Equalities Minister Jane Hutt said the public sector, political parties and the media have a role to play. | Equalities Minister Jane Hutt said the public sector, political parties and the media have a role to play. |
| 'Sign of failure' | 'Sign of failure' |
| Speaking ahead of International Women's Day on Friday, 8 March, she praised Sport Wales and urged other public bodies to follow its example. | Speaking ahead of International Women's Day on Friday, 8 March, she praised Sport Wales and urged other public bodies to follow its example. |
| "There is growing evidence that the number of women taking up public or political roles is reducing," she said. | "There is growing evidence that the number of women taking up public or political roles is reducing," she said. |
| "The Welsh government is committed to reversing this trend, but we all have a role to play in increasing women's representation in public appointments - from public sector bodies to political parties and the media. | "The Welsh government is committed to reversing this trend, but we all have a role to play in increasing women's representation in public appointments - from public sector bodies to political parties and the media. |
| "Our programme for government includes a commitment to ensure that at least 40% of appointments to public roles in Wales are women, but we need all organisations to play their part in helping us achieve this ambitious target." | "Our programme for government includes a commitment to ensure that at least 40% of appointments to public roles in Wales are women, but we need all organisations to play their part in helping us achieve this ambitious target." |
| Prof McAllister said she welcomed the Welsh government's commitment. | Prof McAllister said she welcomed the Welsh government's commitment. |
| "The issue of quotas is an important one to keep on the agenda," she told BBC Wales' Sunday Politics. | "The issue of quotas is an important one to keep on the agenda," she told BBC Wales' Sunday Politics. |
| "Nobody feel passionately enthusiastic about quotas because they are seen to be a sign of failure of the natural process. | "Nobody feel passionately enthusiastic about quotas because they are seen to be a sign of failure of the natural process. |
| "But all the evidence suggests that if we're serious about proper gender equality then without the leadership we've shown in Sport Wales to get women on the board - and that won't be paralleled across the whole public sector - then quotas are something that have to be considered." | "But all the evidence suggests that if we're serious about proper gender equality then without the leadership we've shown in Sport Wales to get women on the board - and that won't be paralleled across the whole public sector - then quotas are something that have to be considered." |
| The Welsh assembly's presiding officer Rosemary Butler has recently urged political party leaders to make sure more women are elected. | The Welsh assembly's presiding officer Rosemary Butler has recently urged political party leaders to make sure more women are elected. |