Helping disabled women to achieve their career ambitions

Shaw Trust supports International Women's Day and the work of the United Nations to tackle inequality across the world.

Last year, Shaw Trust helped 2,215 disabled women into employment. We recognise how important it is to raise the confidence of people who have been unemployed for a significant amount of time. Through our employment support centres across the UK, we work with disabled and long-term unemployed women to improve their skills and confidence so they are ready to enter the workplace. We are focused on breaking down barriers that prevent women from achieving their career potential.

Shaw Trust also supports the Department for Work and Pensions' #notjustforboys campaign, which is encouraging women to compete for the top jobs across all employment sectors. It is important that we encourage greater diversity in the workplace and ensure better representation of women not just in senior management, but across all levels of UK PLC. Britain is leading the way and more women than ever are entering employment.

Roy O'Shaughnessy, chief executive of Shaw Trust, added:

"International Women's Day is an important opportunity to raise awareness of the issues that affect women across Britain and the world. As an organisation that helps people back into work, Shaw Trust must tackle inequality and ensure fairness when women compete for jobs across all employment sectors. Statistics show that more disabled women are entering employment, illustrating an encouraging culture change by employers and an increasing awareness of how a diverse workforce can be a major advantage in the marketplace. However, differences remain and there is still a distance to travel if we are to guarantee fairness for all in realising their full potential."

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

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