Representing women's interests in Suffolk ~ Lib Dem County Councillor, Caroline Page

Last week's release of information on how top earners are rewarded in the BBC highlights a stark divide between the salaries paid to men and the much lower salaries paid to women. We are far from living in an equal society.

In Suffolk County Council, the "SCC LibDem, Green and Independent Group" comprises the Liberal Democrat, Green and Independent councillors on the county council, who have joined forces for the 2017-2021 electoral term. While retaining their individual party identities, the formation of the group gives these councillors better representation on committees and allows them the support of a group researcher. The group has appointed a Spokesperson for Women -- Caroline Page, Liberal Democrat County Councillor for Woodbridge. No other party or grouping on the council has taken an equivalent step.

Caroline writes that "lack of recognition, representation and respect of women within local authorities, results in lack of local authority recognition and funding for issues that disproportionately affect women - whether it be outcomes for girls, or the plight of family carers or the funding of refuges and safe houses."

Women are under-represented on Suffolk County Council (at just 29% of councillors), which not only reflects the problem of inequality but also exacerbates and perpetuates it because it means that decisions are made by people who lack a full appreciation of the issues. Caroline plans to fight in Suffolk County Council for gender equality in Suffolk, because "without a woman to speak up for equality in the Suffolk administration - what happens to it? It is 'assumed' as existing without existing. The funding gets lost because the issue has no direct relevance to those in charge - and the whole county suffers."

Sources:

http://blog.suffolk.libdems.org/2017/05/16/suffolk-county-council-libdem-green-independent-group/ [accessed 23 July 2017]

http://blog.suffolk.libdems.org/2017/07/06/speaking-up-for-suffolks-women/ [accessed 23 July 2017]

https://suffolkcoastal-libdems.org.uk/en/page/local-and-regional-caroline-page-newsfeed [accessed 23 July 2017]