STAFF from the programme set up to boost women’s economic role in Wales are taking to the road in an eye-catching campervan bidding to get people talking about how to achieve gender pay equality.

Representatives of the WAVE programme (Women Adding Value to the Economy) will begin journeying around West Wales on Monday, March 2 to Friday, March 6 to engage with females across generations to share facts about the gender pay gap and how women can maximise their earning potential through self-employment.

The WAVE programme, which is backed by the European Social Fund, through the Welsh Government, supports women through the Women in Self Employment Resource (WISER). In order to spread the message the WAVE campervan will stop at various locations across Llanelli, Swansea, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire.

The event will see the WAVE WISER team giving out information and engaging with the public and female business owners s part of the ‘Let’s Talk about campaign’.

It’s hoped to stimulate discussions on the causes of the gender pay gap in Wales and how to remove barriers in the way of women’s progress within the economy, both within jobs and self-employment.

WAVE WISER strives to break down the barriers that face self-employed women by providing advice and guidance on a variety of issues including pricing strategies and access to business networks.

The programme links aspiring business women with key networks and business mentors; seasoned industry experts who deliver advice on the various aspects of setting up a business.

Lisa Vranch, Recruitment & Outreach Events Officer for WAVE WISER commented ahead of the event: “One of the aims of this tour is to change the public’s perception of what an entrepreneur is. From speaking with various members of the public on our last campervan tour, when asked to name a female business owner, over 200 people could only name celebrities, namely those from the television programme Dragons Den - that says something about society’s view of entrepreneurs.

“As well as removing the mystique surrounding entrepreneurship we also want to reach out to future business owners and provide advice on key issues affecting females within self-employment including undervaluing services that often leads to income disparities”.

The journey will continue as the WAVE team travel throughout North Wales in the coming months.

To see footage from the previous tour, or to join in the National Conversation, see WAVE WISER’s social media channels and blog pages.

Blog: http://www.wavewales.co.uk/wiser-journey/