On International Men’s Day, the Women’s Equality Party says equality is better for everyone

WE are seeking election in London, Wales and Scotland in order to push for equal parenting rights

The Women’s Equality Party celebrates International Men’s Day and supports its objective of increasing the proportion of children growing up with involved, responsible, committed and loving fathers. The Party’s core policy aim of equal parenting roles for men and women is key to tackling gender stereotyping, and teaching children that nurturing, guiding and caring is not ‘women’s work’.

“Dads matter. WE would legislate to introduce a fully equal system of parental leave for both parents – six weeks at 90 percent of salary, followed by 10 months at statutory pay to be shared – in order that all new parents get to spend time with their children,” says Sophie Walker, leader of the Women’s Equality Party (WE).

WE’s policies also include revolutionising childcare to provide free, government-funded childcare from the end of parental leave at 9 months to all children. “This will allow couples to make real choices about how they balance work and family, rather than having those choices made for them by societal and financial pressures,” says Ms Walker.

On International Men’s Day, the Women’s Equality Party also applaud the work of #HeforShe. “The fantastic #HeforShe movement is clear that men must get involved in the fight for gender equality too,” adds Ms Walker. “#HeforShe understands, as we do, that equality is better for everyone.”

Notes to Editors:

The Women’s Equality Party announced yesterday (18 November) the launch of its 31 campaign to stand candidates in Scottish, Welsh and London elections in May. Read the full announcement here.

The Women’s Equality Party is committed to equal parenting rights, and to changing children’s gendered expectations of caregiving.

WE will introduce the same level of parental leave pay – six weeks at 90 percent of salary – so that all new parents can spend time with their children and make true choices about how they balance work and family
WE will introduce ten further months of leave at statutory pay to be shared between both parents
WE will revolutionise childcare to provide free, government-funded childcare from the end of parental leave at 9 months to all children.

The Women’s Equality Party was founded by Sandi Toksvig and Catherine Mayer in March 2015, and launched its policies on 20 October. Read the full policy document here.

Press enquiries to Catherine Riley, Communications and Partnerships Manager ([email protected]/+447764 752 731).

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Victoria Payne-Cook commented 2015-11-19 13:00:55 +0000
How do WE propose to get shared parental leave to become common practice when statutory pay is so obscenely low?
Basically the biggest reason it doesn’t work now is due to cost factors, I think many new dads in our society would love to stay at home and raise baby for a few weeks, a huge number of them even understand what missing out on 6-12 months of ‘work’ does to their parter and her career, but until maternity pay is at a rate that anyone can actually live on this won’t happen.
It’s a big problem but it needs explaining in detail how it’s going to be managed, where does the money come from? There isn’t enough in the bank as it is.