Results of UK consultation on engaging women in government

Laura Bridgestock
WVoN co-editor

The UK government today released the results of its public consultation on ‘Strengthening Women’s Voices in Government’.

The consultation, led by the Women’s Engagement team at the Equalities Office, ran from March to June this year.

Its stated aims were to ensure that women across the UK are able to make themselves heard and influence government policy, that all government departments are committed to listening to women’s views, and that women are able to take informed action.

The top priorities identified by the report are:

• Preventing violence against women and girls
• Addressing workplace-related issues, including promotion, work-life balance, childcare and new business start-ups
• Ensuring women have access to leadership positions in politics and business
• Improving government engagement with women, including entrepreneurs and those high up in business

The consultation also found that there is ‘a strong appetite for greater equality for women’.

Theresa May, Home Secretary and Minister for Women and Equalities, spoke about the findings in her speech today on women and the economy, available here.

The government’s response to the consultation is available here.