Greater Manchester Women and Girls Panel meets for first time

A new panel to accelerate gender equality in Greater Manchester has met for the first time on Monday 7th December.

The Greater Manchester Women and Girls Equality Panel, co-chaired by Stockport Council Chief Executive, Pam Smith, and Tameside Council Leader, Cllr Brenda Warrington, will meet to understand issues and inform policy addressing inequalities facing women across the city-region. The panel will focus in particular on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic: for example, women have been disproportionately impacted by closures to the hospitality and retail sectors.

The 20-strong panel comprises women from all 10 Greater Manchester boroughs and from a diverse range of backgrounds. 17 panellists, joining Deputy Mayor Bev Hughes and the two co-chairs, were selected via an application process which launched earlier this year.

Following their inaugural meeting, the Women and Girls Equality Panel will meet quarterly to develop a detailed two year action plan focusing on priority areas for intervention in addressing gender inequality within Greater Manchester.

Brenda Warrington, Age-Friendly Greater Manchester and Equalities Lead for Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and Panel co-chair, said:

This first ever meeting of the Greater Manchester Women and Girls Equality Panel is a significant moment. We all know there are long-standing societal issues that contribute to gender inequality, both in our city-region and across the whole of the UK. In Greater Manchester, a place famed for our tolerance and inclusivity, we have long aimed to redress these imbalances – the formation of this Panel shows we are about actions, not just words.

“I am so pleased at the breadth and depth of the panellists – each will bring her own unique opinions and perspectives to bear. I am extremely confident that together we will deliver positive outcomes that leads to real change that will truly make Greater Manchester the best place in the country for women and girls to grow up, get on and grow old.”

Bev Hughes sits on the Panel and is Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester for Policing, Crime, Criminal Justice and Fire. She added:

I’ve worked in public life for many years and I am passionate about increasing the number of women in influential, decision-making roles. That is why I welcome the first meeting of the new Greater Manchester Women and Girls Equality Panel.”

Memory Nyahunzwi, Founder and Chief Executive of Olive Pathway, which raises awareness on domestic abuse and GBV amongst Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) people within Greater Manchester and beyond expressed her pride to have been appointed to the panel:

I feel honoured to be part of this. I wanted to be on the Panel to be the voice and represent BAME women and girls. I want to assist in addressing current and existing gender equality issues and systematic barriers faced by women, especially by BAME women from disadvantaged, marginalised and less privileged communities.

“The establishment of the Panel is an important moment in advancing gender equality issues in Greater Manchester affecting women and girls regardless of race, ethnicity, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief. It will serve as a platform that promotes equality and inclusion for women and girls and will enable panel members to work collaboratively, strategically and critically review equality issues, strengthen current systems, policies and procedures and ultimately yield positive results and change that ensures empowerment for women and girls in Greater Manchester.”

The membership of the Greater Manchester Women and Girls Equality Panel is as follows:

• Brenda Warrington – Leader, Tameside Council (joint chair)
• Pam Smith – Chief Executive, Stockport Council (joint chair)
• Bev Hughes – Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester
• Amy Rothwell – Boo Coaching & Consulting, Women’s Housing Action Group, Bolton Maternity Voices Partnership
• Annie Emery – MASH (Manchester Action on Street Health)
• Elizabeth Stanley – Wraparound Partnership
• Francesca Gains – University of Manchester
• Gail Heath – Pankhurst Trust
• Gemma Aitchinson – YES matters
• Halyma Begum
• The Reverend Canon Jean Hurlston – Borough Dean for Oldham, Chaplain at Ashton Sixth Form College & Tameside Hospital
• Lynn Collins – North West Trades Union Congress
• Lynne Stafford – Gaddum Centre
• Memory Nyahunzwi – Olive Pathway
• Nadia Ali – Heaton Norris Community Centre & Make a Difference Community Group
• Rebecca Steele – Rochdale & District Mind
• Sandyha Sharma – Safety4Sisters North West
• Sharon Maginn
• Taslima Ahmed – Creative Design & Manufacture UK
• Vic Stewart