Bristol is to be put at the forefront of the drive for equality of women and men on Friday when it becomes the first UK cit
y to commit to the European Charter for Equality of Women and Men in Local Life.
Mayor George Ferguson will sign an historic declaration that puts fairness at the centre of all aspects of life in the city.
The ceremony, which takes place in City Hall to coincide with International Women’s Day, commits the council to drawing up a Women’s Strategy for Bristol that will set out the priorities, actions and resources to achieve this.
A Women’s Commission will be set up comprising key agencies in the city and will form working parties to look at various aspects of gender equality.
Mayor Ferguson said: “Signing the charter is a major declaration of intent, setting out our commitment to achieving real equality for women in Bristol.
“Major advances have of course been made in the past 50 years but more can be done to secure genuine equality of opportunity and choice.
“Women continue to be under-represented at the highest levels of decision-making, something alluded to only last month by the Prime Minister.
“Women put in far more unpaid hours at home than men. And, on the social front, women continue to suffer unacceptable levels of harassment and violence.
“I want Bristol to be in the vanguard of the drive in the UK to achieve equality for women in all aspects of local life and I am proud to make this commitment on the city’s behalf.”
Cabinet member for the environment, communities and equalities, Cllr Gus Hoyt, said: “This is more than a question of natural justice and of securing recognition of the contribution of women to life in Bristol.
“As a European Commission report notes, gender inequality ‘imposes a heavy toll on the economy and results in an under-utilisation of talent’.
“In working for equality for women we will be working towards a more prosperous and successful Bristol.”
Interim chair of Bristol Women’s Voice, Penny Gane, added: “Bristol Women’s Voice are pleased that the Mayor is demonstrating his commitment to putting Bristol at the forefront of women’s equality. We look forward to working together in the Women’s Commission and playing our part in making sure that the voices of women across Bristol are heard.”
Launched in 2006, the European Charter for Equality of Women and Men in Local Life is addressed to the local and regional governments of Europe who are invited to sign it, to make a formal public commitment to the principle of equality of women and men and to implement the commitments set out in the Charter
These include commitments to improving equality for women with regards to housing, education, childcare, employment, health and social care, inclusion, safety from violence, as well as a commitment to challenging stereotypes.
