Former Councillor Yvonne Jardine and Nia Griffiths Mp Host Event in Swansea Friday 12th December, as part of a nation-wide initiative to tackle the under-representation of Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) women local councillors.

BAME Women

Swansea Women: Local Councillors in the making - Former Councillor Yvonne Jardine and Nia Griffiths Mp Host Event in Swansea

Yvonne Jardine, former local councillor, was joined by Nia Griffith, MP for Llanelli on Friday 12th December at the Guildhall in Swansea, as part of a nation-wide initiative to tackle the under-representation of Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) women local councillors.

The BAME Women Councillors Taskforce was launched in May of this year by Harriet Harman, Minister for Women and Equality. The Taskforce gained further momentum today as BAME women gathered in Swansea to find out how to get more involved with their local councils.

The number of BAME women who attended the event challenges the current number of councillors in Wales, which stands at a shocking figure of zero. This is despite Wales having a BAME women population of 30,510 with Swansea alone having a BAME female population of 2,311.

Statistics show that there are over 2.8 million BAME women in England, and yet they make up only around 149 out of 19,617 councillors - a drop from around 168 in 2006. This represents less than one per cent of all councillors, when BAME women make up more than five per cent of the population.

As part of this initiative, the Taskforce is taking forward a series of events across Britain. These events are designed to provide delegates with an opportunity to meet like-minded women and those that have already taken up the mantle of local government and to find out more about how they too can become part of the decision-making process in their local communities..

The event in Swansea was an overwhelming success where delegates learnt about the important and rewarding role that councillors play in the local community. Attendees were both inspired and motivated by the positive contributions from the various speakers that included: Yvonne Jardine, Nia Griffith MP, Salma Abbasi, Chair of e-Worldwide group and Mari Rees, Community First Inclusion Officer at Valleys Regional Equality Council.

Former Councillor Yvonne Jardine said: "This event is just one of a number of ways in which the Taskforce will encourage and support ethnic minority women to become councillors. We need more BAME women on the Welsh councils in order to participate in local decision making - both to voice the needs of minority communities and act as champions for all residents regardless of their background."

Facilitators, Salma Abbasi Chair of e-Worldwide and Mari Rees led two interactive workshops that covered 'Key skills needed to become an effective councillor' and 'How to be an effective champion in your community'. Delegates had the opportunity to contribute to discussions and engage with the Facilitators.

Nia Griffith MP said: "I am pleased to have been part of such an inspiring event and am an advocate of women playing a key role in our democratic institutions as without their voice our society is less credible. Women are contributing enormously to finding solutions to the challenges facing all of our communities and I hope that initiatives such as these will help motivate women of all backgrounds to come forward as potential leaders and community champions."

Ms Rebecca Wide, a family support worker and an attendee at the Taskforce event in Wales said: "I found this event very positive and enlightening. I think many women want to make a difference in their local community but don't always know how to do this. This event provided practical advice and encouragement which will be valuable in taking the next steps. Hopefully more women will now consider standing for office in local elections."