Calderdale Council is celebrating the achievements of women on International Women’s Day (Friday 8 March 2024) and throughout Women’s History Month.
The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day, ‘inspire inclusion’, fits perfectly with the Council’s priority to reduce inequalities and its commitment to diversity and inclusion.
The Council has taken great strides to be an inclusive employer, and is proud to announce that it has now removed the gender pay gap (the differences in average pay between men and women) in its workforce.
Building on the progress of previous years, it has reduced the average gender pay gap from 1.7% to -0.4%. This ensures that female employees receive the same pay as male counterparts in the Council.
Just days after International Women’s Day, on Monday 11 March 2024, the Council’s gender pay gap figures and ‘Meeting the Equality Duty Report’ will be discussed at its Cabinet meeting, reaffirming its commitment to an equitable society.
The Council hosted an International Women’s Day event on Wednesday 6 March at the King’s Centre in Halifax. The event, which aimed to inspire inclusion, included a marketplace of services that empower and support women in Calderdale.
Book displays at Calderdale libraries are marking the contributions of women, throughout Women’s History Month this March.
Cllr Jenny Lynn, Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Services and Communities, said:
“We are proud to support this global awareness day and month to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.
“Our communities are more vibrant thanks to their wonderful diversity, and we remain committed to equality and inclusion.
“We stay true to the International Women’s Day theme of ‘inspire inclusion’ all year round. We have worked hard to eradicate our gender pay gap to empower our staff and to be an employer of choice in our communities. We value the ongoing input of our Women’s Staff Network in helping us ensure women’s needs and views are represented in our workforce, policies and service delivery.”
Catherine Bann and Corinne Kielty, Co-Chairs of Calderdale Council’s Women’s Staff Network, said:
“Calderdale Council has a proud record of supporting its female employees through their careers. We have incredibly inclusive family-friendly policies to support women at work and are pleased to have a high number of women in leadership positions and no gender pay gap.
“On International Women’s Day we would like to send our thanks and appreciation to our colleagues, both in the Council and the voluntary sector, for all their hard work helping to make Calderdale a safer place for women and girls.”
For the details of Calderdale libraries, please visit https://new.calderdale.gov.uk/libraries/your-local-library
The Vision 2024 for Calderdale aspires to be a place where you can realise your potential whoever you are, whether your voice has been heard or unheard in the past. April 2024 marks Calderdale’s 50th birthday and there are just two months to go! Get involved on X with #VisionCdale2024 and find out more at www.calderdale.gov.uk/vision