A Place at the Table

Match #9 Leigh RMI vs Wigan Athletic Ladies

Year: 2005

Location: Robin Park Arena

Description: Leigh RMI Ladies football team took on neighbours Wigan Athletic to mark International Women's Day on the 8th March 2005.

Women's Football:

• 2007: England qualified unbeaten for the World Cup in China, winning Group 5 in the European qualifiers and recording their biggest win (away against Hungary, 13–0) in the process, ending a 12-year hiatus from the competition.
• 2009: England reach the final of the UEFA Women’s Championship.
• 2009: central contracts were implemented to help players focus on full-time training without having to fit it around full-time employment
• 2011: England reach their third World Cup

Women's Rights:

• 2001: Government introduces bill to improve women's political representation.
• 2002: Lesbian and unmarried couples are allowed to adopt children.
• 2003: Gender pay gap still at 19%.
• 2004: After years of campaigning by trans activists, the Gender Recognition Act allows trans people who have taken decisive steps to live fully and permanently in their reassigned gender to gain legal recognition in that gender.
• 2005: The first civil registrations of same-sex couples takes place.
• 2007: The Gender Equality Duty places a legal obligation on public authorities to eliminate unlawful gender discrimination and harassment and promote equality of opportunity between women and men.
• 2007: Jacqui Smith becomes Britain’s first female Home Secretary.
• 2008: The Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act comes into force in the UK to protect vulnerable women.
• 2009: Carol Ann Duffy is appointed the first female poet laureate after 400 years of men only in the role.