Gender Equality Forum meeting: 29 January 2026

• Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Trefnydd and Chief Whip (Chair)
• Bawso
• Cardiff University 
• Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) Wales 
• Fair Treatment for the Women of Wales (FTWW)
• National Federation of Women’s Institute (NFWI) Wales 
• National Adviser, Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence
• University of South Wales 
• Women’s Equality Network (WEN) Wales

Welsh Government officials

• Equality and Human Rights policy
• Equality, Race and Disability Evidence Units
• Unpaid Carers policy

It was confirmed that all actions from the previous meeting had been completed. All members present approved the meeting notes from the previous meeting.

The Green, Fair and Caring: A Feminist Roadmap for Wales report was published in September 2025. 

The report references feminist interpretations of Green New Deals, which first emerged in the United States and were later adapted for the UK by the Women’s Budget Group (WBG) in collaboration with the Women’s Environmental Network (WEN UK). This work highlighted the absence of a gender lens in current climate adaptation and mitigation policies. 

The report states that current climate and economic systems disproportionately impact women, marginalised groups, and low‑income households, and that Welsh Government policies should integrate gender and intersectional analysis from the outset to ensure climate action reduces, rather than reinforces, existing inequalities. Further, care, equality and wellbeing should be at the core, aligning with the Well‑being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 and the national direction towards a wellbeing economy. 

Four key areas are identified in the report where action is required to shape a fairer, greener future: social care, work, transport, and energy.

The report argued that climate change will increase pressure on an already overstretched care system, disproportionately impacting women, when care security should be treated as an essential infrastructure. 

In relation to work, the report highlighted that women remain underrepresented in green and technical sectors and face poorer working conditions. It recognised that Welsh policies note these inequalities but argued for measurable action, including a women‑focused skills strategy and measures on flexible working, equal pay and progression to support a fair Net Zero transition.

The report identified that women rely more on public and active travel, yet transport systems are designed around men’s travel patterns, disadvantaging women and marginalised groups. It advocated for active travel policy to have stronger input from women, especially in rural areas and where transport inequalities persist.

Finally, the report found that women are disproportionately affected by fuel poverty and remain under‑represented in the energy and renewables sector. It also concluded that, while community energy projects offer local benefits, women must be included in decision‑making roles to ensure fair and equitable access.

Next steps

Welsh Government- Report and presentation to be shared with Welsh Government Cabinet members, relevant Welsh Government officials and Gender Equality Forum members.

Welsh Government have been reviewing how gender equality is being implemented and progressed across Welsh Government. 

Updates were presented on Relationship and Sexuality Education, STEM, apprenticeships, training and pay, employment plans, social partnership and procurement, gender budgeting, women’s health, increasing diversity in public and political life, poverty and welfare, transport, and violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence.

Next steps

• Welsh Government, share presentation with Forum members.
• Gender Forum members, provide feedback regarding progress.

The Business Research and Innovation Group at the University of South Wales has been working with CBI Cymru for two years. Two reports have been produced. Unlocking Women’s Leadership Potential in Wales (2024) and From Aspiration to Action: Women’s Leadership Pathways in Wales (2025).

The 2025 report highlighted the barriers faced by women at the bottom of the career ladder. It found that many women do not experience clear talent pipelines or career ladders, even laterally, and instead navigate a career puzzle shaped by caring responsibilities and a lack of clarity around progression.

The report stated that leadership systems for women can be rebuilt so that they are more accessible and inclusive, noting that such changes would improve outcomes for women and the wider workforce.

The report identified several reasons why women were not aspiring to leadership roles, including burnout, perceptions that leadership is unappealing and concerns about compromising their values. It also found that among women seeking progression in their career, 45% hadn’t had an opportunity, 41% felt the process lacked transparency and 37% believed advancement was dependant on connections.

The report highlighted that ad hoc and specialist mentoring is one of the most effective drivers for leadership growth and should be reflected in funding priorities.

The report recommends making leadership sustainable and supportive, expanding inclusive development and mentoring, and addressing barriers with an intersectional lens.

Next steps

• Welsh Government: share presentation and reports with relevant Welsh Government officials and Gender Forum members.

The Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Trefnydd and Chief Whip informed Forum members that this would be her last meeting with them. She thanked members for generously sharing their time and expertise with both her and Welsh Government and encouraged them all to continue their invaluable work. Forum members thanked the Cabinet Secretary for all her work and commitment to advancing gender equality in Wales.

The date of the next meeting is yet to be confirmed.