Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:49 pm on 29 June 2021.
Sioned Williams
Plaid Cymru
4:49,
29 June 2021
Well, it's a genuine pleasure and privilege to speak on this statement and to speak on the first occasion that this Senedd has had to discuss LGBTQ+ equality, and I thank the Minister for her statement.
As spokesperson for social justice and equalities, I feel passionately for ensuring that we as a nation never give up on striving for true equality for the LGBTQ+ community, and that we put inclusivity at the heart of our society. Plaid Cymru wants to see a Wales where the voices of LGBTQ+ people are heard and are affirmed in education, in the workplace, in all of our communities, and we stand shoulder to shoulder with every individual. We will continue to battle for progress and for genuine equality to sustain the rights won, and create a better future for everyone where everyone is free to live as they wish, and we welcome the financial support for Pride Cymru. And Plaid Cymru will continue to press for the right to legislate on issues with regard to equality, so that they're devolved fully so that we can ensure that this Senedd can put an end to prejudice.
It's wonderful to see that there are so many recommendations set out, which will feed into the action plan. So, I'd like to ask a little bit about those recommendations. What is the timescale for the action plan, and will the recommendations be ones that last over one term of Government, or do they look beyond that, looking to the future in terms of the criteria and the milestones that Altaf Hussain mentioned? How often will the Government—and I think this is key—report, revise and update the scheme? We spoke about the online crimes and that the types of prejudice develop and change on a yearly basis.
The recommendations are distributed into different areas: education, the workplace, health and so on. According to Welsh Women's Aid, 97 per cent of LGBTQ+ women who responded to a recent survey state that they have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace. If that is the situation, then we need to transform the culture of our workplace as a matter of urgency. So, how are you as a Government going to take action as one unit across Government to get to grips with situations like this? I'd like to know too what financial resources are going to be available for implementing the action plan, because we have to have that infrastructure to sustain these principles.
I welcome the aim of trying to devolve powers with regard to the gender recognition Act—something that Plaid Cymru has urged frequently. Does the Deputy Minister agree with me, therefore, that there is so much more that we could do in terms of eradicating inequality if we were to devolve additional powers over justice for Wales?
Now, Pride Month in Wales should be a moment of joy, and hopefully that is what will be the case, providing an opportunity for us to celebrate our unity and our will to ensure equality. But, unfortunately, as you mentioned, we have to face the inequalities that exist still for LGBTQ+ people, as you, in your own words, reflect on what has been achieved to date. So, to conclude, what plans are in the pipeline to respond to the anti-LGBTQ+ voices that are increasing here in Wales and internationally? Thank you very much.
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