Since Chwarae Teg was established, much progress has been made toward achieving gender equality in Wales. However, the picture of progress towards equality changes dramatically when we focus on the intersectional experiences of Black, Asian, and Ethnic Minority women living in Wales.

Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority women are increasingly marginalised; they are further away from the labour market, underrepresented in positions of power and influence, and are more likely to be living in poverty. While Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority women experience the well-documented gendered barriers to the workplace, such as access to childcare, they face additional racial inequalities and biases that make it increasingly difficult to access, enter and progress in work.

However, the experiences of Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority women are not homogenous; they vary significantly on the basis of ethnicity, nationality, age, religion, and migration status as well as other factors of identity. Therefore a one-size-fits-all approach to addressing barriers faced by Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority women will not work. It is crucial that the voices and experiences of different Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority women are heard, and used to inform policy and practice at Government level, in business, in trade unions, and in wider civil society. These institutions should be more diverse, with fair representation of Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority women to ensure they are able to serve everyone equally.

To date, the experiences of Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority women have largely been overlooked in research, particularly in a Welsh context, with a lack of disaggregated and regularly collected data making it difficult to measure progress. This research aims to begin to correct this gap in knowledge about the experiences of Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority women in the Welsh economy and start a discussion based on their own recommendations for Wales.

With this research, we set out policy recommendations for Government, Business, Trade Unions, and other agencies in order to address some of the barriers that Black, Asian, and Ethnic Minority women face to employment. We also aim to spark a wider conversation about the role of Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority women in the Welsh economy, to ensure that their voices are heard and that they are able to achieve their potential. Many of our findings and recommendations will be clearly felt and understood by Black, Asian, and Ethnic Minority women themselves but should be illuminating for others. We commit to using our position and influence for all women.

We were only able to conduct this research with the guidance and support of organisations across Wales that work with Black, Asian, and Ethnic Minority women. Some reflections from them on the research and the impact they hope it will have can be read here:

Aliya Mohammed, Race Equality First

“We have made strides in achieving equality for women, but as we know, there is still a long way to go. This applies especially to Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority women: a large majority of our female beneficiaries tell us they often feel isolated, even in the workplace, and that they are limited to ‘poor work’ with low pay and few prospects for progression, making it difficult for them to escape from poverty – even whilst in work. This research is very timely and it will highlight the key barriers experienced by Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority women in their career advancement and also, to an extent, the links between poverty and ethnicity.”

Samina Khan, Cardiff and Vale College

“Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority communities, particularly women, continue to face barriers to employment despite there being a Public Sector Equality Duty which has been in place since 2011. The socio-economic profile of Wales suggests that Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority people are some of the poorest and most disadvantaged in our communities. Lack of economic participation of Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority women will continue to impact on aspirations of the next generation as well as contribute to maintaining communities in the poverty trap. This research is long overdue and timely with the WG gender equality review underway. It is hoped that recommendations will inform WG policy that will impact positively on BBlack, Asian and Ethnic Minority and other women.”

Shavanah Taj, PCS Welsh Secretary/Vice President Wales TUC

“This important piece of research is very timely as we enter into a period of Brexit through the lens of a new UK Prime Minister and possible general election.

“For too many people, including Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority women, work has become insecure, uncertain and low paid. Far from being the opportunity to progress for individuals and communities, work has become a poverty trap for many. I welcome Jane Hutt, Deputy Minister and Chief Whip’s commitment to working in partnership with WTUC and the Wales Race Forum to develop a sustainable talent pipeline to improve Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority representation in public and private sector senior leadership roles as well as improving workplace cultures to support diversity, ensuring employers are delivering on mandatory ethnicity Pay Reporting and practical delivery of Race at Work Charters. Such initiatives and actions are an absolute must if we are to be truly representative of today’s Wales.”

Ginger Wiegand, Ethnic Youth Support Team (EYST)

“This research represents a timely and urgent call to action. Research has shown time and again that ethnic pay penalties are persistent and entrenched and that Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority women bear the brunt of austerity. For all sectors and people in Wales, this is a serious human rights concern, which is entrenched institutionally and requires urgent attention and action.”