'I would encourage all Leader readers to use this opportunity to celebrate a woman in their life'

MS for Delyn

Over the weekend our communities continued to show their solidarity with those impacted by the events taking place in Ukraine, holding a vigil in St Mary’s Church in Mold. On St David’s Day the First Minister confirmed that £4 million of financial and humanitarian aid will come from the Welsh Government, in addition to the tens of thousands of items which have been donated to be shipped across to support those in need.

Once the time comes that the UK Government will allow those fleeing the conflict to seek refuge here in the UK, the Welsh Government and Flintshire County Council are ready to do all they can to reflect that we are a Nation of Sanctuary.

Last week I also had the opportunity to join members of the armed forces in Wales at the annual St David’s Day dinner at Brecon Barracks, on behalf of the Welsh Government. It is always a pleasure to meet members of our armed forces community to hear about their work in Wales, the UK and abroad.

This week we mark International Women’s Day – a chance to reflect on the many challenges we have had to face and the barriers we have overcome. I am privileged to have had many inspirational women in my life – in my family, friendship circles and the workplace – who have spurred me on to play my part in making a difference to the lives of women locally and across the world.

The theme this year is “Breaking the Bias” - whether in the community, our workplaces, or in society in general, women sadly continue to face bias on a daily basis. Many of our processes, policies and views on life are influenced by deeply engrained gender biases and stereotypes. By working together we can make real difference by changing these practices to make our world a more inclusive place.

On International Women’s Day this year, I spoke at an event to recognise 100 years of the Soroptimists work to tackle violence against women and took the opportunity to outline the ongoing Welsh Government commitment and work in this area.

I would encourage all Leader readers to use this opportunity to celebrate a woman in their life who has made a difference to them, their community or indeed the world, but also to challenge those to break the bias.

We all have a part to play in overcoming the inequalities which women and girls face, which sadly includes many finding themselves in period poverty. The Welsh Government are committed to playing their part and provide funding each year to schools, colleges, community groups and women’s refuges, to allow them to distribute menstrual products to those in need of them.

Locally we have seen Flintshire County Council team up with Hey Girl! to provide reusable menstrual products to girls aged 8 to 18 in the county, to reduce the impact of period poverty and to improve access to more sustainable products.

Get in touch and I’ll do my best to help

If you have an issue you’d like to speak to me about, I will do my best to help.

You can drop me a line by emailing Hannah.blythyn@senedd.wales or get in touch by using the contact form on my website: www.hannahblythyn.cymru/contact.