Who we are
West of England Women’s Commission’s Women and Economy Task Group help’s women in the region thrive.
What we cover
From the Caring Economy and flexible work and childcare, to removing barriers for women, the Women & Economy Task Group identifies and addresses issues standing in the way of women’s equality.
Our mission
To ensure all women and girls are supported to play an active role in the economy.
Who’s involved
Our focus for 2026 and beyond
We cover the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority region, which comprises:
Bristol
Bath and North East Somerset
South Gloucestershire
Chairs: Diane Bunyan & Sue Cohen
Members: University of Bristol, University of the West of England, Bath and North East Somerset Council, Carers Support Centre Bristol and South Gloucestershire, Fair Play South West, Business West, Bristol Women’s Voice, South West TUC, Women in Business Charter, Co-Produce Care.
Annual review 25/26
Work completed this year:
Relaunch of the Economy Task Group extending regional membership and agreeing overall ambitions in addressing barriers and intersectional inequalities faced by women both out of work or in low paid employment across the region, working collaboratively to identify evidence-based solutions and drive systemic change.
Drafted and agreed our action plan, with an overarching focus on bringing together cross-sector partners to identify, understand, and tackle intersectional barriers that prevent women living in poverty from participating in the thriving economies of the West of England. To this end, we have worked on two interlinked priorities:
Raising the specific needs of women, ensuring the new WECA Growth Strategy (including the focus on the Everyday Economy and the Child Poverty Strategy) are responsive to the need for childcare and social care, efficient public transport, and flexible training opportunities. We have done this through meetings with WECA, suggesting practical and deliverable actions in association with our partners.
Focussing on opportunities presented by the Social Value requirements in the 2025 Procurement Act to ensure that the needs of women are recognised and supported in public sector contracts.
Looking ahead - Plans for the next year
To run a major cross sectoral regional knowledge exchange event on Delivering Social Value Through Procurement; to build an understanding and commitment to how this can be used to advance the interests of the women in poverty both in and out of work.
To develop networks with those involved in the major development sites in the region with the aim of furthering the prospects of women in poverty.
To continue to discuss and present evidence and proposals to WECA to ensure that women’s interests are recognised and addressed in the Growth and Child Poverty Strategies.
To further expand the membership of the Task Group to include more representation from across the region.
