Commenting today on International Women’s Day today, Cllr Janet Finch-Saunders AM said:

"It is fantastic how far we have come over the last 101 years in this country in terms of women’s rights.

"However, inequalities remain, particularly with the gender pay gap. Men in Wales earn on average 18% more than women. Those in managerial and senior positions earn 22% more, and those in elementary occupations earn 20% more.

"This kind of archaic inequality must be addressed as a matter of urgency.

"I would also like to raise awareness amongst people that the Home Office has recently launched a 12 week consultation seeking public opinion on whether a specific criminal offence should be created to combat forced marriage, and, if so, how it would be formulated.

"Research last month showed that one worker who mentors ethnic minority schoolchildren in Newport has said that up to 400 of the children in the eight schools in which she works are at risk of falling victim to a forced marriage before the age of 20!

"I would encourage anyone with concerns in this area to make their submissions to the Home Office consultation."