My Lords, it is a pleasure to open today’s International Women’s Day debate on behalf of the Government. As noble Lords will know, the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day is “Give to gain”. This day is about celebrating the power of solidarity and camaraderie; it is about adhering to the words proclaimed by Millicent Fawcett—the same words inscribed on her statue in Parliament Square just a stone’s throw away from here:
“Courage calls to courage everywhere”.
This day is about recognising that when women thrive, we all rise. I believe that is true of this place. Both Chambers are of very different composition to the ones I knew in the 1990s when I first started working in Westminster. Back then, around 10% of the seats in the other place were held by women; last year, that figure stood at roughly 40%. We have seen a similarly positive trend in this House: female membership has steadily risen from below 10% in the early 1990s to over 30% today. I am looking forward to hearing the maiden speeches today from my noble friends Lady Linforth, Lady MacLeod of Camusdarach, Lady Martin of Brockley, Lady Nargund and Lady Paul of Shepherd’s Bush. I am proud to serve in a Government where the positions of Chancellor, Home Secretary and Foreign Secretary are all occupied by brilliant women, as are the Secretaries of State for Wales, science and culture. Our representation has changed for the better.
Our economy has changed for the better, too. Top British companies are leading the way for gender equality in boardrooms. Women occupied over 43% of roles on FTSE 350 executive boards as of last year. Our society has also changed for the better. The UK ranks fourth in the global gender gap index. That is all cause for celebration and optimism, but noble Lords will know that there is still more to do.
That extends to the places where economic power lies today and the industries that are at the forefront of tomorrow’s economy. We have much more to do to further women’s rights and opportunities in the UK and around the world, which is why this Government are working to prioritise women’s health by working with the women’s health ambassador to deliver our 10-year health plan. At work, we are putting in stronger protections for pregnant women and new mothers and tackling maternity inequality. We are also improving the system of parental leave, and making flexible working more easily available through our plan to make work pay. Through the Employment Rights Act we are taking the first steps towards requiring employers to publish an action plan alongside their gender pay gap reporting. We are tackling violence against women and girls, with a focus on education and prevention, pursuing perpetrators and supporting victims through our landmark strategy.
I would like to take a moment to reflect on the achievements of Jill Saward as we mark 40 years since her harrowing attack in 1986. I pay tribute to a woman whose courage shifted the national conversation surrounding sexual violence. She transformed the horrific trauma she endured into a catalyst for systemic change. She became a pioneering voice, helping to dismantle the long-standing taboos around sexual violence that silenced countless victims, and she campaigned for essential reforms to our justice system that were so desperately required. We owe her, and the many who continue her vital work, a debt of profound gratitude, and our commitment is to continue to tackle violence against women and girls.