Mims Davies, MP for Eastleigh, has co-hosted a Women’s Business Council reception in Westminster, highlighting on-going opportunities to achieve greater equality in the workplace as well as celebrating the WBC’s achievements over the last year.
She was joined by the Rt. Hon. Anne Milton, Minister for Women and Dame Cilla Snowball, Women’s Business Council Chair, along with other inspirational individuals who have worked to improve equality in the workplace.
Speaking at the event, Mims said,
“It is brilliant, as the 380th woman to be elected to parliament, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Women in Parliament, and as someone that is passionate about supporting women in the workplace, to open this event this morning.”
“As many of you will be aware, the Prime Minister established the Women’s Business Council in 2012, and I am delighted that the organisation has gone from strength to strength since that time, empowering women as it goes.”
“I welcome that we currently have record levels of women in employment in the UK – but there remains so much more work to be done.”
“With a record number of women elected to Parliament this June, I am certain that it will remain very much front and centre of the debates and conversations that take place.”
Later, she added,
“It is so important that we recognise the women, and, of course, the men, who are acting as agents of change. I am always so inspired by the enthusiasm of my colleagues and of the individuals making a concerted effort to change misogynistic working cultures for the better.”
“Eastleigh is home to some incredibly enterprising women, and it is crucial that they get the opportunities that their male counterparts are already enjoying – and that we pave the way for future generations to enjoy equal treatment when they enter the work force.”
“I spoke on these issues at the Women’s Leadership Conference, chaired by Eastleigh College’s very own Principal Dr Jan Edrich, in June, and it is so important that we keep the discussion going until real change has happened.”
Mims now looks forward to chairing a round-table discussion in her capacity as Chair of the APPG for Women in Parliament, which will focus on agile working practices and how a shift away from ‘Working Nine to Five’ has impacted upon equality in the workplace.