Women across the region should get more actively involved in public life in order to make public organisations more representative according to Dame Rosemary Butler, presiding officer of the Assembly.

Speaking at the Working Women networking group, a joint initiative by Caerphilly Business Forum and Caerphilly’s Rural Development Programme, she said: “Establishing women’s equality has been a driver for me throughout my career in politics and public life.

“So when I was elected as presiding officer by the Assembly in 2011, I took an in-depth look at the contribution and equality of women – not only at the Assembly but in wider public life.

“While the Assembly has had a good track record of electing women politicians to represent the people of Wales – at one time half of the members elected were women which reflect the population. But when I looked at wider public life, and the statistics and research undertaken relating to women’s representation, it made grim reading.

“That’s why I launched my Women in Public Life campaign on International Women’s Day in 2012, with the aim of reducing the barriers that women face in public and professional life in Wales through setting up a web portal and development scheme to provide women with advice and support about how to get involved in public life.”

She said: “My message to Caerphilly Working Women’s Forum is to get involved, think about what is important to you and make your voice heard.

“The fact that we now have the Caerphilly Working Women’s forum is a very good start and I hope that all members take the next steps into public life to help make it more representative.”

Denise Lovering, chairman of Caerphilly Business Forum and director at Glenside Commercials, said: “Equality and greater representation within senior management by women cannot be overemphasised.

“Not only can this fundamentally change the way we do businesses for our collective benefit, but initiatives such as Women in Public Life is helping to show young people that thinking big is not only possible, but essential.”