Shropshire Council supporting International Women’s Day today

#BreakTheBias

Shropshire Council is proud to support International Women’s Day, which is celebrated worldwide today (Tuesday 8 March 2022).

International Women’s Day 2022

The council is committed to women’s advancement and openly embraces a culture of diversity, equality and inclusion in the workplace and the communities the council serves.

Women play a pivotal role in the council’s leadership teams, managerial roles, and in every area of the organisation, including executive and senior leadership teams and Cabinet membership.

International Women’s Day allows us to reflect on the great progress that has been made, but also reminds us of the long road that is ahead and the issues that collectively we still face today.

While International Women’s Day activity escalates this week, we maintain a deep and continuous focus on equality, diversity and inclusion all year round.

Celebrating Shropshire’s women 

Did you know?

• Lezley Picton, Leader of the Council, is the first female leader in Shropshire and is one of only 17% in England.  “Women make up only around 35 per cent of all councillors in England, and account for just 17 per cent of local authority leaders”(LGA, March 2022).
• Two of the four executive directors in Shropshire are women
• Over half of the senior leaders at the council are female
• Approximately three quarters of Shropshire Council’s staff are women
• The gender pay gap has reduced by 5% in the last three years.

Supporting women in the workplace

Whether deliberate or unconscious, bias makes it difficult for many women to move ahead. Knowing that bias exists isn’t enough, action is needed to level the playing field.

Shropshire Council believes that everyone, regardless of gender, has the right to live and flourish without fear or prejudice, and to feel respected and valued.

It provides progressive policies, practices, benefits, and support mechanisms so women’s careers can thrive.

As well as appealing job opportunities, celebrating and increasing the visibility of the work and achievements of women inspires further women to achieve their full potential and helps forge equality.

Lezley Picton, Leader of Shropshire Council, said:-

“There is plenty to celebrate, not only on International Women’s Day but each and every day. We have so many incredible women within the council and indeed within our Shropshire communities.

“As a female in a leadership role, I believe we can collectively work together to break the bias that women may experience within the workplace and in society and accelerate women’s equality.

“Through actively sharing experiences, celebrating achievements, increasing the visibility of what is possible and creating a supportive and inclusive culture, we can inspire more women to realise and achieve their ambitions.

“In every area of our organisation, women are visionaries, innovators, entrepreneurs, mentors and advocates, who drive new ways of thinking and doing. I am thrilled that increasing numbers of women are trailblazing in sectors historically being viewed as ‘men’s’ jobs.

“Today is a perfect opportunity to make a call to action to everyone to do what they can to help build an inclusive world – where diverse backgrounds, perspectives and talent are sought, valued and embraced.”