Women, policy and the prime minister: what you suggested

When we asked readers what the prime minister's new adviser on women's issues should prioritise, we were overwhelmed by the response. Here are some of your responses

Read the Guardian's roundtable discussion here

Last week, the Guardian opened up its upcoming roundtable debate to readers, setting up a blog to ask what you would do if you had the access and influence of Laura Trott, David Cameron's new adviser on policies. What government policies need to be reviewed from a female perspective and which policy areas need changing to better respond to women's issues? (And which should be abandoned altogether?)

The response was fantastic; this is an edited list of the highlights. The full blog can be found here.

What policy areas need to be discussed?

Policies do not act in isolation – they cross departments and sectors. For example, child poverty is all too inextricably linked with women's poverty – so cuts to child benefit impact not just the children themselves but the women who care for them – which impacts their employment, child care etc. Any adviser looking at legislation must consider the cross cutting implications of what is proposed.
sarahbrowngb

What has become of the "family friendly" working practices?
biglampbitter

The lack of women at a senior level in private companies filters down through organisations and influences general policies and practices.
Encourage private firms and employers to allow for more practical and practised flexible working and job-share schemes.
jesmith

The impact of UK policies on women overseas eg the role of EU (and consequently UK) biofuel policy on world food price rises and land grabbing.
CoffeyB

Ensure statutory sex and relationships education for all children from the age of five.
RubyGeegee (similar point raised by TinaPJ)

I would like to see laws enacted which make photoshopping women's faces and bodies to "improve" them illegal under false advertising laws.
TinaPJ

Review policies that affect funding of domestic violence and abuse services.
darkestangel29

Plan to charge for using CSA must be dropped, as must the plans to remove universal child benefit both will make women and children more vulnerable to financial exploitation.
curiositykilledkat

Sexual and reproductive health service reforms – base these on clinical guidance taking into consideration women's needs.
FPACharity

The panel could look at the impact that changes to legal aid provision will have on women.
ResolutionFamilyLaw

Reader herewegoloopylou offered a long list of suggestions:

Ring-fence funding to domestic violence and rape crisis services – many of which support both genders and children.
Stop the demonisation of benefits claimants and disabled people.
Do something constructive for our young people who are facing massive unemployment.
Stop focusing on providing free nursery places as if all women have children, and that's all they care about.
Sort the pension mess out for women in their 50s.
Leave child benefit alone.
Don't make lone mothers have to pay the CSA to chase child support for them, and don't then take a cut of the child support from the mothers.
Don't cut the rates of DLA for children and adults.
Leave abortion services well alone.
Put tuition fees back to where they were, and reinstate EMA.
Don't cap benefits.
Leave legal aid alone, it will adversely impact on women trying to escape violent relationships.
Sort out the atrocious conviction rates for domestic violence and rape.
Ring-fence money for Supporting People who provide support services for vulnerable adults, many of these services have been decimated and people are struggling to cope.
Stop taking money from the most vulnerable in our communities.

What should the adviser's priorities be?

Look at the make up of cabinet, and maybe the civil service. See if gender imbalances here are having an (unintended – one hopes) impact on why women seem to be suffering more under coalition policies.
cosicos

Ensure that all government legislation has been adequately scrutinised to ensure what is proposed does not disproportionately affect women.
sarahbrowngb

Change and amend policies that unfairly impact on women; the budget cuts are affecting women disproportionately and that needs to be remedied i.e. by adopting the Fawcett Society's Life Raft for Women's Equality.
Ensure that future policies are reviewed with regards to gender equality before they get passed.
SBfromWorthing

How should the adviser function?

Implement binding targets for increased representation of women in politics and in the board rooms of UK companies (follow the Scandinavian examples; they've shown impressive results)
SBfromWorthing

Readers also suggesting a range of women's groups and organisations that they feel the adviser should work with.