Earlier this month the University once again took part in the GM4Women2028 annual scorecard celebrations.

Led by Dr Helen Pankhurst, GM4Women2028 is consortium of change-makers involved in gender equality activities across the Greater Manchester combined authority. The group tackles issues disproportionately affecting self-identifying women and girls in the region, by engaging with its members and the community on five themes:

• Education
• Employment
• Policy
• Health and Culture
• Safety

The University of Manchester’s Professor Jill Rubery, Director of the Work and Equalities Institute, Professor Francesca Gains, Co-Director of Policy@Manchester and Dr Sarah Mohammad-Qureshi, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Advisor all sit on the Steering Committee and lead the ‘Employment’, ‘Participation’ and ‘Education’ subgroups respectively.

Each theme holds a scorecard, measuring annual progress in two areas of concern. Each year this, and related data, is presented to the wider community on the anniversary of the UK’s Representation of the People Act 1918. The goal is to achieve equality across all areas by 2028 – the centenary of equal franchise. This year the group also presented additional data on the gendered impact of COVID-19, with priority calls for action to prevent gender equality being set back further.

The Scorecard reveal took place virtually with GMCA Mayor Andy Burnham in attendance. Speakers included Joeli Brierly, founder of ‘Pregnant then Screwed’, Cllr Laura Edwards and Baroness Beverley Hughes, GM Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime. The day also had a powerful recital from Lemn Sissay of ‘Making a Difference’ amongst the celebratory events.

For more information about the group, including how to get involved, and to see the full data scorecard visit www.gm4women2028.org.