First of all, thank you, Joyce Watson, for letting me participate in this short debate. I would firstly, though, like to congratulate the Member for Mid and West Wales on her excellent work representing Commonwealth women parliamentarians of the British isles and Mediterranean region on the international Commonwealth parliamentary steering committee—it is a mouthful. It’s fantastic to see a Welsh woman holding this important international role, so well done.

In these post-Brexit times, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association forum being held in Westminster next week will be a welcome opportunity for parliamentarians from across the Commonwealth to come together for harmonious and constructive discussions. As vice-chair of the Assembly’s Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, I’m also determined to ensure that a similar spirit of co-operation and tolerance continues to thrive in Wales, as it has done previously.

Entering the post-Brexit era is an especially pertinent time to recognise the important role of women in advancing welfare and human rights issues up the political agenda, and the work of all of us, irrespective of gender here in the Senedd, is testament to this. Recently, I had the privilege of meeting a delegation from the Botswanan Parliament last month, and they were very impressed with the example set by female parliamentarians in Wales in the Senedd. We are rightfully proud of our excellent gender balance record here. Let us continue to maintain this example for women throughout Wales and, of course, in the Westminster Parliament, the Commonwealth and the wider world. Thank you.