Why International Women’s Day is so important

Seema Malhotra, MP for Feltham & Heston, reflects on the importance of International Women’s Day and outlines the steps being taken to address the gender pay gap, women’s health, and community safety.

International Women’s Day was forged in the labour strikes of the early twentieth century, as women came together to call for better pay, shorter working hours and voting rights. It has become an important milestone which celebrates the achievements of women, promotes gender equality and acts as a call to action.

But when we speak today about the agenda of women’s progress, we remind ourselves that whilst we have made progress, men and women are still not equal.

In a world where inequality persists in society, economy, and in power, I am proud that Labour, led by a cabinet that is 46% women, is putting progress of women at the heart of its missions.

That isn’t a coincidence. Women’s representation in politics drives new conversation and puts wider issues on the agenda. Of the 695 women ever elected to the House of Commons, 405 (58%) were first elected as Labour MPs, and 182 (26%) as Conservative MPs.

Labour’s manifesto committed to action to tackle gender inequality. From strengthening rights for women in work and reducing the gender pay gap, to halving VAWG.

Our groundbreaking Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy begins a decade-long whole-of-government, whole-of-society effort to halve violence against women and girls.

And we’re not just acting at home.

We have made tackling violence against women and girls a priority in our foreign policy too. Recently the foreign secretary launched All In, a new international coalition to scale up action to end VAWG which we both attended. It brings together global leaders, experts and campaigners – and focusses on preventing violence before it happens.

Labour is working to prioritise women’s health working with NHS England and the Women’s Health Ambassador to implement the NHS 10-year plan and a refreshed Women’s Health Strategy to be published soon.

The last Conservative government failed on women’s health, presiding over record NHS waiting lists. That included a more than doubling in waiting times for gynaecology appointments and a postcode lottery over access to gynaecological treatment. Labour has seen gynaecology waiting lists fall, a cervical cancer elimination plan and menopause advice added to routine health checks for women over 40.

Our plans to Make Work Pay, are putting in stronger protections for pregnant women and new mothers at work and tackling maternity inequality.

We’re reviewing parental leave and making flexible working more easily available. And with two consecutive years of minimum wage rises, we are putting more money in the pockets of working women.
And as part of the Employment Rights Act, we are taking the first steps towards requiring employers to publish an action plan alongside their gender pay gap reporting.

That’s why last week I was proud to launch our voluntary action plans alongside the secretary of state for Women and Equalities. Employers with 250+ employees will be asked to submit Action Plans detailing how they will reduce their gender pay gaps and support employees going through the menopause.

We are working with business leaders, civil society and trade unions, because we cannot reach workplace equality without the support and commitment of all.

International Women's Day marks the beginning of not only a month-long celebration of women's history, but also, I hope, a year of progress and action.

The theme for this year’s IWD is ‘Give to Gain’ the aim of which is to ‘emphasise power of reciprocity and support’, ‘whether through advocacy, education, mentoring, or time, contributing to women's advancement helps create a more supportive and interconnected world’.

Building new networks in our communities, to bring hope, leadership and change, renewing our determination and building networks with our sisters at home and abroad, will give us a renewed front line, to resist the rollback of our rights and push forward for progress for women and girls for generations to come.