North East Mayor backs charter to tackle inequalities faced by women
Kim McGuinness has joined other Metro Mayors to pledge support
Three Metro Mayors from across the North of England have pledged their support to a new charter aimed at improving the lives of women and girls in the region by tackling inequalities in health, education, work and welfare.
The Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, David Skaith, has joined Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin and Mayor of the North East Kim McGuinness in backing the Woman of the North Charter, developed by Health Equity North. The Charter was launched earlier this month at the Woman of the North Summit in Durham.
By signing the Charter, the Mayors have committed to using their powers to raise awareness, drive policy change, and support the development of services that promote fairness and opportunity for women across the North.
The pledge follows the release of the Woman of the North report in September 2024, which highlighted the significant challenges faced by women in the region. Recent analysis has revealed that women in the North of England are expected to live fewer years in good health, are more likely to be out of work due to long-term sickness or disability, and are missing out on an estimated £158 million in weekly wages compared to other areas of England.
Kim McGuinness, Mayor of the North East, said:
“The reality laid bare in this new analysis is unacceptable. It’s a damning reminder of the deep inequalities women in the North continue to face in health, in work, and in opportunity."
“We’re investing in affordable childcare, introducing travel passes for jobseekers, and bringing buses back under public control. These aren’t just policies, they’re lifelines for women who’ve been held back for too long.”
David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said:
“The North should be a place where women and girls can live long, healthy lives – without being held back by their geography or their gender. That’s why I’m proud to back the Woman of the North Charter and reaffirm my commitment to building a region where everyone can thrive."
“In York and North Yorkshire, we’re already acting. We’re tackling violence against women and girls, improving transport safety, and connecting people to opportunity through our skills strategy. There’s more to do – but this Charter is a powerful call to go further and faster.”
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said:
“It’s a damning indictment of modern Britain that girls born in the North of England can expect to live shorter lives than those born elsewhere. But where successive governments have failed to fix these inequalities, devolution is turning the tide."
“Here in West Yorkshire, we’ve set up the country’s first ever Women’s Safety Unit, supported women into training through our Adult Skills Fund, and delivered more and cheaper bus journeys which women disproportionately rely on.”
Hannah Davies, Executive Director at Health Equity North, said:
“To have the unequivocal backing of Mayors is testament to the strength of our Woman of the North report and the recognition and commitment to improve the life chances of women in our regions. We are very grateful to them for amplifying the importance of this work.”