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Women’s Parliamentary Caucus unites and inspires female Islanders

On Thursday 5 March, women from across the Island filled the States Chamber, joining current and former Members of the Assembly for a special event celebrating women’s voices, leadership, and community.

The Women’s Parliamentary Caucus event welcomed two distinguished speakers:

• Joyce Watson MS, Senedd Regional Member, Welsh Labour Politician and Chair of the Senedd Women’s Caucus; and

• Anna Whitehouse, bestselling author, presenter, podcaster and well known flexible working campaigner.

Joyce Watson spoke about her work establishing and leading the Senedd (the Welsh Parliament) Women’s Caucus, created in 2023. She described the caucus as a consciously inclusive space where women support one another with enthusiasm. Since its launch, the Welsh caucus has hosted memorable events, connected young women with experienced politicians, and supported those at the start of their political journey. She expressed hope that Jersey’s newly formed caucus will grow into a similarly safe and empowering space.

Anna Whitehouse encouraged attendees to recognise their collective power to ignite change. Sharing her journey as founder of the Flex Appeal campaign, she emphasised the benefits of flexible working for retaining women’s talent and improving wellbeing across workplaces. She reflected on the significance of gathering so many women in such a historic setting during International Women’s Week, describing the atmosphere as energising and hopeful. Anna also spoke candidly about the human cost of inflexible work cultures.

Attendees had the opportunity to ask questions on a wide range of topics, including cultural change, implementing flexible working in a small island context, the impact of social media -both positive and harmful - and the importance of improving women’s health through organisational change. Several women present expressed their gratitude for the speakers’ advice and for an event that demonstrated the level of support available to them.

The overarching message of the afternoon was one of support, advocacy, and collective strength.
Anna Whitehouse closed by reminding attendees that it was not so long ago that women did not have the right to vote, urging everyone to remember and honour the women who paved the way for today’s progress.

Deputy Lucy Stephenson, Chair of the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus (WPC), highlighted the strength that comes from women supporting one another, noting: “Our community is stronger when we work together. We are grateful for the support of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians’ Gender Strengthening Fund in facilitating our first event, which has been a resounding success in uniting and inspiring female Islanders.
“International Women’s Day on 8 March reminds us of the positive contribution women make in parliaments across the world, but this recognition and support must continue beyond a single day. We are excited about the impact the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus will have in the years ahead.”

Watch a recording of the event: Women’s Parliamentary Caucus event - Thursday 5 March