Northern Ireland Women's European Platform

Response by Northern Ireland Women’s European Platform

Northern Ireland Women’s European Platform welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Draft Programme for Government 2008-2011 ‘Building a Better Future.’

Overview

On a positive observation the documents do include women – ranging from toddler to an older person, but that said it is extremely disappointing how little the PfG has to offer. 

One of the priorities identified in the PfG is ‘Equality is an important issue for the Executive and for society.  Inequalities exist, and we must strive to eliminate all forms of inequality’ and again in the cross-cutting theme ‘ ….Fairness, inclusion and fairness of opportunity will be watchwords for all our policies and programmes’.  Unfortunately for the female 52% of the population it is not clear how this PfG will seek to address the gender inequalities and the lack of gender opportunities in Northern Ireland by identifying and implementing actions through policies and programmes.

·        How are these to be maintained if there is no reference to the key issues which impact on women?

·        What commitment will Departments give to effective policies and programmes on issues – specifically gender related issues - which have not been clearly defined in the programme for government?

The Programme for Government does not put ‘meat on the bones’ of the following issues which have a huge impact on economic development and growth of the labour force in Northern Ireland.

1.    Childcare

The need for good quality, affordable childcare for men and women to ensure Northern Ireland has the workforce to deliver services. 

·        Northern Ireland has less childcare places for 0-3 year olds than the rest of the UK.  How will government ensure increased places for childcare in Northern Ireland?

·        95% of lone parents are women. How will government ensure they have the tools to access the labour market, including good quality, affordable childcare?

·        Older women are employed as ‘unpaid’ child carers but are invisible in the workforce.  What will government do to recognise their contribution to economic growth and provide an allowance to spend in the economy?

·        Eradicating child poverty.  What is the government’s plan for women who are heads of households if they cannot join the workforce and are thus unable to access the opportunity of a well paid job, career development and good childcare provision?

2.  Pensions

One of the key elements to economic growth with an aging population is a good pension.  For many women this will prove impossible.

·        Women dominate areas of employment characterised by low pay and variable employment patterns, and accordingly capacity to build pension entitlement is heavily affected by these factors and by their caring responsibilities.  How can the government ensure that in the long term all earned women’s income can contribute to a worthwhile pension?

3. Gender Pay Gap

The Northern Ireland workplace has been increasingly 'feminised' in the past 25 years - but women still earn substantially less from their employment than men - especially in part-time work.  

In Public Service Agreement 7, point 5 the target is described as “Introduce means to work towards the total elimination of the Gender Pay Gap”.  

NIWEP welcomes this stated target, but would urge Government to set a timeline with end date to ensure that Departments commit to working towards eliminating the Gender Pay Gap.