Recommendations

This report has examined the clear, systematic differences in health between genders. It should be acknowledged again that both men and women will experience multiple and complex issues throughout their lives and that boys and men also have gender-specific barriers to good health, but this report and therefore these recommendations are focused on the many forms of disadvantage faced by women and girls.

We are committed to creating conditions in which individuals, families, communities, and society are able to make positive choices, take control of their own lives and ultimately thrive. We must act together across multiple sectors and disciplines to achieve this.

Giving every child the best start in life is the most important thing that we can all do, which also includes making sure that the mother is supported throughout pregnancy and beyond.

It is recommended that all organisations support healthy pregnancy, ensuring that they have good, effective maternity, paternity and adoption policies. Included in these policies should be how a disclosure of pregnancy is received from managers and colleagues, through to time off for appointments and appropriate breastfeeding support afterwards.

It is recommended that all organisations are aware of the increased risk of domestic violence for pregnant women in order to create an environment where disclosure is possible, and support is offered. 

It is particularly important that the health and care sectors are aware so that women can feel confident in telling someone if they are suffering from domestic abuse.

It is recommended that, in line with the Family Hub/Start for Life Programme, a multi-agency infant feeding strategy should be developed that includes the promotion of breastfeeding in public spaces and workplaces. 

It is recommended that an enhanced offer of targeted support for infant feeding should be made available alongside a peer support service to help all mothers reach their infant feeding goals.

Enabling children, girls and women to live their lives to the fullest is important to enable gender equalities across the life course, as we know that gender roles and inequalities are embedded at very young ages.

It is recommended that education settings encourage a diverse range of physical activities for children and young people, and communities should work together to enable a more inclusive sporting environment.

It is recommended that we review the full causal pathway for emotional health and wellbeing for girls and young women, so that we can intervene and prevent self-harm.

It is recommended that we work together to encourage girls and women to use their education and qualifications and be supported in seeking opportunities for good employment.

It is recommended that we recognise the long term impact that domestic abuse has on the physical and mental health of victim/survivors, and their children. Investment is needed in support for long term recovery that meets the needs of victim/survivors, and is informed by their choices, for example, trauma informed services, safe and suitable accommodation, and specialist mental health support.

By creating fair employment and work for all, we are able to empower girls and women to have financial stability and independence and enable them to use their knowledge and expertise.

It is recommended that we work together to develop new policies that better support girls and women not just into work, but specifically into roles that are well paid, with paid leave and reasonable adjustment for health-related conditions.

It is recommended that we advocate for childcare to be more affordable so that women have the choice of returning to employment. We should work with employers to encourage flexible working practices, for both males and females, and positively demonstrate how this can be successfully achieved.

It is recommended that all employers review and publish their pay by gender and to highlight the gender pay differences by the various levels across seniority.

It is important that we ensure a healthy standard of living for all so that we create positive generational life changes.

It is recommended that mothers, in particular single mothers, are supported through the cost-of-living crisis because this is where the brunt of the inequalities lie. As we respond locally to the cost-of-living crisis, it is important that we have a gendered response and root out inequity.

It is recommended that we advocate for fairer pay for female-dominated sectors, such as the care sector, the health sector and education and that we advocate for fair work for women

It is recommended that we review and refresh our local plan so that there is an explicit gendered response. For example, this may include ensuring our cycling infrastructure is reviewed from a female perspective. We should ensure that a positive effort is made to redress any gender inequality within our local plan, ensuring all planning and infrastructure is considered from a female perspective.

It is recommended that we ensure all of Gateshead is a safe environment for girls and women and that as we have a specific gendered response as we develop and implement our strategies, our interventions and our policies.

It is recommended that we continue to call out and not be bystanders in violence against women and girls. This should include assessing all our policies to ensure we create an environment which is supportive of measures to prevent domestic abuse and enable disclosure and support if needed. 

It is recommended that we seek to change attitudes, systems and behaviours that perpetuate gender inequality and violence against women and girls. This includes improving public attitudes towards domestic abuse by raising awareness and increasing understanding, for example, healthy relationship education in schools, supporting public campaigns, engaging and working with local communities. It is recommended that we address the root causes of violence and review our relationship between the Health and Wellbeing Board and the Community Safety Partnership to ensure that a public health approach is taken

It is recommended that we review and refresh our local plan so that there is an explicit gendered response. For example, this may include ensuring our cycling infrastructure is reviewed from a female perspective. We should ensure that a positive effort is made to redress any gender inequality within our local plan, ensuring all planning and infrastructure is considered from a female perspective.

It is recommended that we ensure all of Gateshead is a safe environment for girls and women and that as we have a specific gendered response as we develop and implement our strategies, our interventions and our policies.

It is recommended that we continue to call out and not be bystanders in violence against women and girls. This should include assessing all our policies to ensure we create an environment which is supportive of measures to prevent domestic abuse and enable disclosure and support if needed. 

It is recommended that we seek to change attitudes, systems and behaviours that perpetuate gender inequality and violence against women and girls. This includes improving public attitudes towards domestic abuse by raising awareness and increasing understanding, for example, healthy relationship education in schools, supporting public campaigns, engaging and working with local communities. It is recommended that we address the root causes of violence and review our relationship between the Health and Wellbeing Board and the Community Safety Partnership to ensure that a public health approach is taken