International Women’s Day is celebrated today, with the theme ‘Balance for Better.’
Simon Fell, Conservative Spokesman for Barrow and Furness said:
“This is a day which we should all support, regardless of our gender. Equality is the benchmark of a fair and strong society, and we all do better when there are no glass ceilings or artificial barriers. This is especially evident given that we have just celebrated 100 years of women having the vote in Britain.
“As a Conservative I’m proud that we have a female Prime Minister, who follows in the footsteps of Margaret Thatcher, the country’s first. But I’m also proud of our record in government.
“The female employment rate is at a record high, with over 70 per cent of women in work. We’ve also reduced the gender pay gap and legislated to ensure that large employers have to publish data on the pay gap in their own organisations – a case of transparency forcing positive change.
“The recently published Domestic Abuse Bill will also protect and support victims of domestic abuse, and alongside this we’ve introduced protections for victims in family courts. We want to foster a society where horrific abusers and bullies cannot hide or use the system to victimise their targets further.
“On this special day, I’d like to applaud Ulverston Town Council in supporting the WASPI campaign by lighting up "Hoad" in purple. This is an important campaign, and one which I continue to lend my support. What has occurred since 1995 is both morally and ethically wrong and I will be writing again today to the Pensions Minister, asking that he review the WASPI case and brings in the transitional arrangements and compensation which they so clearly deserve.”
