Speeches by Griffith.

“Basically it is the grassroots nature of it, the informality of it, the disparate nature of it, that makes it very difficult.”

“Thank you for coming to help us gather evidence. What would you say is the general picture of the challenges and barriers that women face in comedy?”

“In other words, if there was better job security they would feel more able to come forward or to challenge some of the issues?”

“Yes—it is the first barrier they have to get through.”

“We hear your disappointment that progress has not been faster and that you are still needed, but have you noticed any change in terms of the barriers and challenges?”

“Kirsten, as a trade unionist representing the industry, what sort of barriers and challenges do you see women face?”

“Are any positive steps being taken or is it purely at the whim of whoever is in charge?”

“Jessica, do you have any thoughts on the experience and how to tackle it?”

“If I could just finish off on your awareness of harassment and abuse, how do you think it can be tackled within the industry?”

“What would be the most effective way to improve the representation of women in the industry?”

“So you are saying that in some cases you have had pushback on some of the cultural change and that you are tackling those leaders in that respect?”

“General Sir Roly Walker, you clearly referenced misogyny in wider society. We have heard about it in schools and about toxic masculinity online. I am interested in any pushback you get from your more senior staff, but also the challenging task you alluded to of your younger generation of recruits coming in and how you …”

“You mentioned role models, which are extremely important. Perhaps I can ask General Sir Gwyn Jenkins to focus on the actual mechanisms you are using to get that cultural change into the tasks, exercises and aspects of the force’s life.”

“Thank you very much. I will specifically focus on the cultural change. It is five years on, and we have heard criticism that cultural change initiatives are still a bit of a tick-box exercise, and that personnel are not really engaged with these matters and solutions. Is that a fair criticism, and how do you embed cult…”

“So you have done quite a lot of analysis?”

“I am going to turn to the issue of how we actually define diversity and inclusion, which you have already touched on. Zoe and Alex, what are some of the difficulties in defining, promoting and analysing diverse and inclusive cultures in the workplace?”

“You have touched on quite a wide range of different characteristics. Do you think there has been too much focus on protected characteristics and not enough on the wider range of diversity you have just mentioned?”

“I am going to turn to the issue of how we actually define diversity and inclusion, which you have already touched on. Zoe and Alex, what are some of the difficulties in defining, promoting and analysing diverse and inclusive cultures in the workplace?”

“Can I bring in Louise on that whole range of issues?”

“Can I bring in Louise on that whole range of issues?”