The latest Pankhurst–Fawcett Scorecard and Report from GM4Women2028 has revealed that gender inequality continues to affect many areas of life across Greater Manchester.
The findings were presented during GM4Women2028’s annual Reveal 2026 online event on Friday 6 February, which brought together activists, researchers, policymakers, community organisations and residents to review the data and discuss how progress for women and girls can be accelerated.
Now in its eighth year, the Scorecard tracks ten indicators across five thematic areas – Employment, Safety, Participation, Education, and Culture & Active Lives – combining national and local datasets with academic research to assess progress on gender equality.
Progress remains uneven
The data shows that, while some indicators have improved since the Scorecard began in 2018, change has been slow and inconsistent. Helen Pankhurst CBE, Convenor of GM4Women2028, explained:
“Inequality persists for Greater Manchester’s women and girls across the board. In none of the indicators we measure has the gender gap disappeared or the issue been fully resolved. Progress is not linear and the changes we see are often small, even over many years.
What the Scorecard shows clearly is that progress requires sustained effort, better data and continued collaboration if we are to create a city region where women and girls can truly thrive.”
Key findings from this year’s Scorecard in Greater Manchester
Employment
The employment rate gap between men and women stands at 5.6%, improving from 9% in 2018. The gender pay gap has narrowed from 14% in 2018 to 9.9%, though it has widened slightly since last year.
Safety
92% of migrant survivors of gender-based violence seeking support were denied it due to immigration status, highlighting a significant and growing barrier to vital help. Data on the proportion of sexual violence survivors unable to access support could not be updated due to the absence of comparable research.
Participation
27% of voting members in the Greater Manchester Combined Authority cabinet are women, up from 18% in 2018. Women hold 40% of judicial appointments, an improvement of around 10% over eight years.
Education
Women account for 19% of engineering and technology undergraduates, showing little change from 2018. Women make up 7% of construction and built environment apprenticeships, up from just 1% in 2018.
Culture & Active Lives
47% of senior roles in Arts Council National Portfolio organisations are held by women, up from 40% in 2018. 30% of women report doing less than 30 minutes of physical activity per week, indicating a worsening trend in physical inactivity since 2018.
Data must drive action
A recorded message for Reveal 2026 from Kirith Entwistle, MP for Bolton North East, emphasised the criticality of using evidence in drive change.
“Initiatives like GM4Women2028’s are important for bringing people together outside places like London and the South where these conversations happen more. We should return to the roots of our Suffragette history, which began here in Manchester, to reflect on the data, fight for women’s rights, look at where we’re making progress and where we’re seeing a backward shift, keep the equality conversation going and push for progress.”
Turning evidence into change
Reveal 2026 brought together participants from across sectors to discuss the findings and develop practical actions in response to the data. The event included thematic discussions and breakout sessions exploring the implications of the Scorecard findings, while also featuring poetry and music performances, thus demonstrating the movement’s commitment to combining evidence with lived experience and creative expression.
Next steps for the movement
The next major event for the GM4Women2028 community will be an in-person event titled ‘Dialogue, Deeds & Determination’, taking place in Rochdale on Saturday 4th July. This gathering of women, girls and male allies will deepen collaboration and translate the Scorecard findings into practical actions. Interested attendees are invited to sign up via Eventbrite.
