SDLP Foyle MLA Sinead McLaughlin
She was speaking after the Women in the North of Ireland 2023 report was published by the NI Statistics & Research Agency.
The report found that just under three in ten working age women were economically inactive, compared to just over one fifth of men.
Approximately 60% of employed women with dependent children worked full-time, compared to 96% of employed males with dependent children.
It also found that women are less involved in decision making, received less support from line management and had a lower proportion of earnings above the Real Living Wage than their male counterparts.
Said the Foyle MLA: “This report should act as a stark reminder of the multiple barriers that women face in the workplace.
“The inequalities are laid out in black and white for everyone to see and suggests too many women are still held back from fully participating in the economy.
“If we are to properly address these ongoing challenges, then we must dismantle those barriers at all stages, from reforming our education system to levelling the playing field in employment so everyone has a fair chance to progress in their career.
“Clearly, one of those barriers that women face is unaffordable childcare and the lack of support for unpaid carers, with the vast majority being women.
“Reducing the unsustainable costs of childcare that currently trap far too many women out of work is a critical tool in allowing more women to participate in the labour market.
“We should also take every possible measure to support unpaid carers.
“We must also not underestimate how the lack of a Women’s Health Strategy can impact women in their careers.
“Long term sickness is the number one reason why women and men were economically inactive in 2023.
“The introduction of a Women’s Health Strategy is vital if we are to tackle the specific challenges women face when it comes to accessing care and could help address the disproportionate impact of healthcare inequalities.”
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