Joyce Watson Wins Woman in Public Life Award

Local politician Joyce Watson has won the first ever Woman in Public Life award.
The prestigious Womenspire Awards celebrate the achievements of Welsh women who are doing extraordinary things in their lives.
Mrs Watson’s work includes successfully campaigning for an anti-trafficking co-ordinator for Wales, helping Wales lead the way in targeting modern slavery.
She leads the Not in my Name campaign with the WI, recruiting male ambassadors to confront attitudes around violence against women.

Joyce Watson said:
“I am honoured to be recognised by this award for my work, particularly for work supporting women, and I am keen to continue it after the election.”
Joyce Watson is standing in the National Assembly elections of May 5th. She is Labour’s top candidate for the Mid and West Wales region, which she has represented since 2007.
She added:
“I hope people will use their votes on May 5th, and I hope they will give me the chance to serve them again on vital issues like health, schools, transport, jobs and protecting local services.”
The winners of Chwarae Teg’s Womenspire Awards were announced at a special ceremony attended by finalists and guests from across Wales.
Joyce co-won her award with the other three finalists, as the judges decided they should all be rewarded for their exceptional achievements.
Joyce Watson began championing women’s issues before being elected to the National Assembly. She started marking International White Ribbon Day in Wales, where men pledge not to commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women, and now there are widespread events and activities each year to mark this.
Mrs Watson added:
“The need to stand up for women seems as urgent now as ever. Women still earn on average almost fourteen per cent less than men, 46 years after the Equal Pay Act. Ten per cent of executive Directors on boards are women, while just six per cent of engineers are women.”
Mrs Watson has written and commissioned research into the role of women in Welsh public life, and published her findings on trafficking in Wales in Knowing no Boundaries in 2010.
She has built international relationships for Wales through the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and other Interparliamentary groups.
She lives in Haverfordwest-and she has lived, run small businesses, and has family across mid and west Wales.
Mrs Watson added:
“It was wonderful to see the wide range of finalists across the Awards, and Chwarae Teg should be commended for launching them.”