Women's Equality Network Wales (WENWales)

14/04/2026

Political parties in Wales have now announced their full candidate selections.

Research from Cavendish Cymru shows that representation for women in Wales varies across parties.

But there’s a deeper problem, too: we’re missing important diversity data.

We’re don’t know enough about candidates who:

➡️are from a minority ethnic background
➡️are disabled or live with a long-term health condition
➡️are LBGTQ+
➡️have caring responsibilities

And that’s because we’re not collecting the data we need.
If we don’t count it, we can’t change it. That’s why we’re urging political parties to collect and publish diversity data. We even have guidance on how in our Diverse5050 Toolkit.

🔗 Find the toolkit here:https://wenwales.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Diverse-and-Equal-Representation-Toolkit-Part-1-Party-Culture.pdf

🔁 Share this post if you agree - political parties should do more to improve representation.

Ethnic Minorities & Youth Support Team - EYST Wales, Race Council Cymru, Age Cymru, Disability Wales, FTWW Fair Treatment for the Women of Wales, Carers Wales, Stonewall

14/04/2026

You have one week left to register to vote in the Senedd election.

The deadline is 11:59pm on 20 April 2026.

You can only vote if you are registered. You can register online, and it only takes a few minutes. https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

09/04/2026

The Civility Pledge from The Jo Cox Foundation and Compassion in Politics calls for honesty, respect and compassion in campaigning - three values that are key to our campaign's aim of achieving equal and diverse representation in Welsh politics.

Harassment and abuse in public and political life disproportionately impact women and minoritised communities. Too many are discouraged or driven away from politics and our democracy is weaker for it.

We call on political parties and candidates to make this a respectful campaign period. Democracy depends on it.

Ethnic Minorities & Youth Support Team - EYST Wales Race Council Cymru Age Cymru Disability Wales FTWW Fair Treatment for the Women of Wales Carers Wales Stonewall Cymru

Join us and take the for the 2026 election.

https://www.compassioninpolitics.com/civility_pledge

27/03/2026

We welcome the publication of the Family-Friendly and Inclusive Parliament Review 🙌

It’s really encouraging to see so many of the changes we’ve long called for reflected in its recommendations.

This review looks at how the Senedd works, from its culture to its systems, and what needs to change to make it more inclusive.

At WEN Wales, we’ve been pushing for practical steps to make politics more accessible. It’s positive to see momentum around:

➡️ Childcare and support for caring responsibilities
➡️ Action on harassment and abuse
➡️ Hybrid working that works for everyone
➡️ Better data on representation
➡️ Embedding equality across the Senedd
➡️ Enshrining a dedicated Equalities Committee and Women’s Caucus

We also welcome calls to ensure Welsh Government has the powers to introduce measures like quotas - one of the most effective ways to improve women’s representation.

These recommendations for the Senedd complement our own research into women’s experiences of politics in Wales, which focuses on how the culture and systems in political parties must change.

You can read that report athttps://wenwales.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Report-Womens-experience-of-the-political-journey-in-Wales.pdf

We know what needs to be done to create a Senedd that truly represents Wales - now it’s time to make it happen.

24/03/2026

This week we're marking 40 years of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) in the UK at a summit hosted in Cardiff. Alongside academics, policymakers, practitioners and advocates from Wales and beyond, including CEDAW Committee members and its Chair, the WEN team enjoyed an insightful and galvanising two days of breakout sessions, discussions, and connection.

This landmark bill of rights for women was ratified in the UK 40 years ago - and yet, it has not been fully incorporated into domestic law. Without this legal framework, women and girls cannot access all their rights under CEDAW. As we continue to advocate for this crucial step to be taken, work continues at local levels to apply the principles of CEDAW - including in Cardiff, Europe's first City for CEDAW.

Thank you to Cardiff Council, Cardiff University, Wales Assembly of Women and all sponsors for organising and hosting this valuable opportunity to exchange insights, showcase best practice, and explore practical ways to apply CEDAW to advance gender equality.

Want to know more about CEDAW? Take a look at our explainer�https://wenwales.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/WEN-Wales-All-About-CEDAW-2026.pdf

19/03/2026

CEDAW turns 40 this year!

The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) is a global UN agreement that pushes governments to tackle discrimination against women and advance gender equality.

On 23 March, we will be marking CEDAW’s 40th anniversary as we attend a special summit in Cardiff alongside academics, policymakers, practitioners and advocates from Wales and beyond.

Cardiff is Europe’s first City for CEDAW, making it the perfect location for a summit that will exchange insights, showcase best practice, and explore practical ways to apply CEDAW to advance gender equality 🙌

Read more about CEDAW and what it asks of Wales 👉https://wenwales.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/WEN-Wales-All-About-CEDAW-2026.pdf

15/03/2026

Every woman in Wales deserves:

✅ Healthcare when they need it
✅ Safe pregnancies and births
✅ Specialist support for conditions like endometriosis and miscarriage
✅ Guidance for periods, contraception and menopause

Our Gender Network manifesto sets out the changes we need to make that happen.

Read it in English 👉https://wenwales.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Wales-Womens-Rights-Manifesto-May-2025.pdf

Read it in Welsh 👉https://wenwales.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Maniffesto-Hawliau-Menywod-Cymru-Mai-2025.pdf

09/03/2026

Diagnosis for Endometriosis in Wales takes longer than anywhere else in the UK - on average around 8 years and more than 20 GP appointments.

That’s why we’re calling for systemic change, so that people in Wales with endometriosis are no longer left waiting in pain.

Our Gender Network Manifesto calls for earlier diagnosis, fair access to specialist care, and joined-up support for everyone living with endometriosis in Wales.

This Endometriosis Awareness Week, help us push for change by sharing this post 💛

08/03/2026

This International Women’s Day, we’re reflecting on what justice really means for women and girls.

Because only when rights are embedded in law and enforced effectively can women access their full protection.

That’s why our Gender Network manifesto calls for the principles of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) to be enshrined in Welsh law - so that in Wales, women’s rights are not just commitments on paper, but legal protections women can depend on.

Embedding CEDAW into law would create stronger accountability and real consequences when women’s rights aren’t respected.

What can you do to support?

💪 Stand with us as we push for change - join us as a member for free to add your voice to our coalition

🔁 Share this post

02/03/2026

Women's Equality Network (WEN) Wales is delighted to announce the appointment of new Chief Executive Officer, Anna Brown.

Read the full announcement here ⬇️

https://wenwales.org.uk/en/wen-appoints-new-chief-executive/

Mae Rhwydwaith Cydraddoldeb Menywod (RhCM) Cymru wrth ei fodd yn cyhoeddi penodiad Prif Swyddog Gweithredol newydd, Anna Brown.

Darllenwch y cyhoeddiad llawn fan hyn ⬇️

https://wenwales.org.uk/cy/rhcm-yn-penodi-prif-swyddog-gweithredol-newydd/

Women’s Equality Network (WEN) Wales is delighted to announce the appointment of new Chief Executive Officer, Anna Brown. Anna brings 20 years of cross-sector experience spanning UK charity leadership, international development, and finance. She previously served as the Co-Chief Executive Officer ...

27/02/2026

Every woman deserves care that is timely, respectful, and effective.

Change is possible, but we have to keep speaking up.

The Gender Network’s Wales Women’s Rights Manifesto calls for the timely delivery of the Women and Girls’ Health Plan, so women across Wales can access the care they deserve. Read more via the link in our bio.

Share this post if you also believe women deserve healthcare that listens, respects, and acts 💪