Women are still earning much less than men, and suffer unfairness with pension schemes, according to a prospective Labour assembly member for Monmouth.

Catherine Fookes, vying for election this May, told a packed Shire Hall in Monmouth last week the gender pay gap was still a ‘key issue’ for women in Monmouthshire, who earn £83 of every £100 earned by men.

Speaking at the event, held on International Women’s Day, Ms Fookes drew attention to the ‘unfairness’ of pension rules which force women born after April 1951 to wait longer to qualify for a state pension.

Ms Fookes said, “We need to teach our children to appreciate the importance of equality in public life, in the boardroom, and on the shop floor. We must encourage young women to consider careers that are traditionally male-dominated.”

The Labour candidate said she was driven to run for office by a scheme which encourages women to enter politics.

“The mentoring helped me find my political voice. I now have credibility, knowledge, the courage of my convictions, and the best group of supporters anyone could ask for,” she said.

The Welsh Assembly elections are set to be held May 5 of this year.