Blue sky seen through hole in fence

ESF has worked to improve gender equality for many years, with the 2007–13 programme in England particularly targeting those furthest from the labour market, including lone parents (predominantly women), women from ethnic minority backgrounds, and women offenders, who typically experience multiple and complex barriers to entering the workforce.

The ESF programme in England overall targets an equal split of participation between men and women, but since the downturn in the economy, it has seen a surge in demand from men as unemployment has increased across all sectors.

ESF providers have responded to demand by meeting the needs coming through the door to them, with at last count only 38% of Priority 1 (targeted at those out of work) participants being female. While this reflects the pattern of demand, it does not necessarily mean that women are not also suffering – many women have dropped to part-time work or left the labour market altogether. Likely reductions in the public sector workforce, which have yet to be fully seen in the labour market, are also likely to have a disproportionate impact on women.

ESF is systematically evaluated, and the 2010 report on equal opportunities and gender mainstreaming identified other factors impacting on women's participation in ESF activities, in addition to the effects of the recession:

  • the timing and flexibility of programmes may be inappropriate for mothers with children or other caring responsibilities
  • inadequate childcare facilities locally
  • high cost of getting to training venue
  • possible barriers for women getting into non-traditional areas of employment.

ESF in England is responding to this in the second half of the programme by refocusing on provision aimed at recognising and meeting the particular needs of women in different positions, building on proven best practice exemplified by, for example:

  • the provision of outreach facilities at children's centres and family centres, as demonstrated by YMCA Break Through Project in London
  • integration of female participation rates into provider contracts, as evidenced by London Councils, and elevated targets for female participation in the Priority 5 Convergence Key Sectors projects
  • the provision of financial assistance for childcare and elder care support where required, such as by Working Links North West.