9. What is the Welsh Government doing to actively promote female mentorship programmes in the workplace? OAQ(5)0530(FM)

We provide a core grant to Chwarae Teg to maximise the contribution women make to the economy and to support the vision of a Wales where women achieve and prosper.

First Minister, I think we all remember with deep affection Dame Rosemary Butler, our former Presiding Officer, and her programme to promote women in public life concentrated on mentorship schemes. I think this is a principle that could be generally applied, because it’s raising that expectation and the ambition of women who already have the talents to perform outstandingly in the workplace.

I think that’s absolutely true. Chwarae Teg is part of that plan. It has a three-year strategic plan to promote equality. There are other tools at our disposal as well. For example, ‘Talented Women for a Successful Wales’ was commissioned by the chief scientific adviser with the aim of obtaining up-to-date data and current thinking on dealing with the long-term problems of insufficient numbers of women studying science and entering and thriving in science careers. I know the Minister, Julie James, accepted the recommendations in a statement back in January. They are two examples, amongst many, of the work that is being done to achieve true equality in our society.