Diolch, Llywydd. Today marks the significant, 100-year anniversary of the Representation of the People Act 1918, which was passed on 6 February 1918. This Act enabled all men and some women over the age of 30 to vote for the first time. It is worth noting, however, that it wasn’t until 10 years later, with the passing of the Equal Franchise Act 1928, giving women the right to vote at age 21, that women could vote on the same terms as men. So, on 2 July this year, we can mark the ninetieth anniversary of that Act. I am also mindful that this centenary overlaps with the Welsh Government's Cymru'n Cofio: Wales Remembers 1914–1918 programme, which marks the centenary commemoration of the first world war in Wales. The contribution of women at the time to the war effort was paramount and part of the impetus in establishing the Representation of the People Act in 1918.

A number of other significant, related anniversaries will take place during 2018, providing the basis for a year of celebration. As well as today’s anniversary, Members may want to note some other key dates this year: 30 April marks the sixtieth anniversary of the Life Peerages Act 1958, which allowed women to sit in the House of Lords; 21 November will be the hundredth anniversary of the Parliament (Qualification of Women) Act 1918, allowing women to stand for election to the House of Commons; and, finally, 14 December 2018 is the hundredth anniversary of women voting for the first time, in the general election of December 1918. These and other notable anniversaries will make this truly a year of celebration. In addition, International Women’s Day on 8 March will be closely linked to the centenary, as well as to the very appropriate international theme of 'press for progress'.

The Welsh Government has committed nearly £300,000 to mark the centenary of women’s suffrage with a range of activities focused around the themes of 'celebrate, educate and participate'. I would like to set out our plans and I will provide Members with a link to a website where further details of these and other activities across the UK can be found.

The Welsh Government has sponsored Women’s Equality Network Wales to deliver a project to celebrate the top 100 Welsh women. The list will span education, science, sport, the arts, business and politics and will cover both historical and contemporary women. Welsh women are almost invisible in our history and this positive campaign aims to change that. In the autumn, the public will be able to vote to choose the Welsh women who they believe have been most inspirational. Two statues will be commissioned as a result of this project. We hope this will lead to more statues and other permanent memorials of real women throughout Wales. We will encourage community involvement to facilitate this. 

We will also fund the commissioning of purple plaques for as many of the original 100 nominees as possible. On International Women’s Day last year, I was proud to be part of the Assembly Labour women's group, which launched the purple plaque campaign. Our aim is to give remarkable Welsh women the recognition they deserve by installing a purple plaque at their former home or workplace. There are currently 216 blue plaques in Wales commemorating notable figures and historic events and organisations, and just 11 of those are for women. Purple plaques were chosen to reflect the suffragette movement and I believe it's time we recognised the impact women have had on our cultural, political and scientific life here in Wales. 

Today, I'm also launching a one-off grant scheme for third sector and community organisations to undertake innovative activity relating to the three key themes of 'celebrate, educate and participate' to mark the centenary. The scheme will enable local communities to get involved with the centenary celebrations, highlighting local contributions from around Wales to mark the history of women’s suffrage. I’d also like to encourage activity that celebrates and encourages women from other under-represented groups, including BAME women, disabled women and LGBT+ women. I want to emphasise the importance of empowering women from these communities, who may face higher levels of discrimination and lower levels of opportunity. Applications for grants of between £500 and £20,000 will be invited. We have more information about the grant scheme and the application process on the Welsh Government website, and I'll be supplying Members with the link. 

More will be happening throughout the year, including our participation in activities being organised across the UK. For example, a suffrage banner relay is being organised with all the devolved administrations. The banner will be coming to Wales in May and we will be arranging a programme of events around that. I encourage Members to support both the national programme and local events in your own constituencies as the year goes on.

The centenary and the activities related to it will look forwards as well as back. Our aim in highlighting notable Welsh women both past and present is to raise awareness of their achievements and provide lasting memorials for a significant number of them, telling their stories in the context of their local communities. They provide powerful role models for the women and girls of today, for whom there are different challenges, as well as new opportunities.

It is right to celebrate the progress we have made in the past 100 years. It's also right to remember the struggle and sacrifice that has been the price of this progress. We need to maintain our momentum to strengthen democracy further, increase the number of women in decision-making roles, and continue to challenge inequality and unfair discrimination. Diolch.