As the world marks International Women’s Day, three prominent Welsh women have raised concerns that gender equality is not only stalling but potentially regressing. Research conducted in 2024 found that 47% of respondents in Great Britain believed that gender equality had already progressed far enough, a statistic that reflects a worrying shift in public perception.
Rising Resistance to Gender Equality
Johanna Robinson, a Welsh government advisor on violence against women and girls, expressed her alarm over the increasing pushback against gender equality. “A significant proportion of men think gender equality has gone too far,” she said, adding that while progress has been made, it has also ignited resentment among some men.
Her work, including initiatives like the Welsh government’s Sound campaign, aims to educate young men about gender-based violence. However, she remains concerned about the experiences of young women today. “When I speak to young women, I am horrified by their experiences. They are no safer than I was at their age.”
A Backlash Against Women’s Progress
Helen Molyneux, a lawyer and founder of the Monumental Welsh Women Project, echoed these concerns. “I worry that there’s a pushback against women’s rights,” she said. “There’s almost hysteria around facts, like there being more female doctors than male doctors now or that women in some age groups are earning slightly more than men.”
She pointed to global trends, citing examples in the United States and Afghanistan, where women have lost rights that previous generations fought for. “In some places, women now have fewer rights than their mothers and grandmothers did,” she said.
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Women’s Fight for Equality in History and Today
Sian James, who played a crucial role in supporting miners’ families during the 1984 strike, highlighted how she has historically been at the forefront of change. “I come from a long line of chopsy . Chopsy she change the world,” she said.
James emphasized the importance of persistence, despite societal resistance. “People tell me to stop being woke. But it’s not about being woke—it’s about basic human rights, and I will keep fighting for them.”
The Slow Road to Gender Parity
According to the World Economic Forum, at the current rate of progress, full gender parity will not be achieved until 2158—five generations from now. This sobering projection underscores the need for continued advocacy and action.
All three women shared personal stories of workplace discrimination. James, who later became a Labour MP, recounted an incident in Parliament where a male colleague mocked her by comparing her brooch to a prize-winning heifer at a local agricultural fair.
Robinson recalled being harassed at her first job and later at a football match, where a man repeatedly grabbed her despite being told to stop.
Molyneux shared an experience from her early legal career when she was accused of leading a “coven” simply because she invited three other female solicitors to lunch. “At the time, you just put up with it if you wanted to fit in and move forward,” she said.
The Role of Education in Changing Attitudes
All three women emphasized the importance of education in addressing gender inequality. They believe that men must be included in conversations about equality, ensuring they become allies rather than opponents of progress.
“We need to educate young men about gender equality, so they don’t see it as a threat but as something that benefits everyone,” Robinson said.
As discussions around gender equality continue, these voices serve as a stark reminder that while progress has been made, the fight for true equality is far from over.
