Consultation paper
The consultation paper contains the following sections:
Liberal Democrats Online Policy Consultation Group
Lib Dem campaigns
The consultation paper contains the following sections:
March 16th, 2009 at 7:51 pm
I am afraid the formatting of this paper got lost in translation. We answered in blue but copying it into this means it has also lost any colour. I hope it is not too hard to print and decipher.
NAWO
the National Alliance of Women’s Associations’ response to:
Consultation
paper
Women’s
working
group
December
2008
Summary
There has
been
a
revolution
in
some aspects
of
women’s
lives
over
the past
30
years,
however
the
reality
is
that
there are still
many
issues
whose impact
on
women’s
lives
is
vastly
disproportionate to
those of
men.
This
document
and
the questions
below
explore the issues
which
hold
women
back in
their
everyday
lives
and
which
create
barriers
to
every
person
in
the
UK
living
their
life to
the full
extent
of
its
possibilities.
In
responding,
please do
not
feel
that
you
need
to
answer
all
the
questions
–
just
pick out
the sections
or
individual
points
which
interest
you,
or
tell
us
which
issues
you
think
we’ve missed
out!
“I
can
have
it
all”
1.
Where
does
gender
stereotyping
come
from
and
what
is
gender
about?
We understand gender as describing roles formulated and subject to change within societies and sex as the biological differences between women and men but neither category is straightforward. The problem is inequality – that which allocates to men power over women.
Stereotypes are located in history where men’s power was little limited and they are deeply rooted, supported by tradition and culture and also by religion and hence very difficult to change. They work to keep ‘woman in her place’ at home and not in decision-making or in public life.
2.
Can
government
encourage
changes
to
how
we
think
about
gender
inside
and
outside
the
home? Yes. Just passing legislation already sends messages to the public about what is acceptable and what not. On its own it is not enough and the media is one vital source of impression-building towards (or against) cultural change. Changes such as the Gender Duty, properly interpreted also impact locally on everyone’s life.
3.
Can
women
really
‘have
it
all’?
Can
men?
What
is
‘it’
anyway
and
is
it
worth
the
effort? It is not possible to ‘have it all’ but ‘it’ where time, money and other resources are meant could certainly be better shared.
4.
How
can/should
the
government
act
to
tackle
a)
the
gender
pay
gap, This is a priority for the present government and the steps they are taking in practical ways as well as the new Equality Bill should be helpful. As long as women’s work is still expected to include the lion’s share of caring roles, though, her time is limited for paid work. Caring work itself needs to be more highly valued and paid. Steps such as the accounting for caring work in the national GDP would help.
b)
the
pensions
gap, serious problem and one of the strongest arguments for gender budgeting
c)
the
inequalities
caused
by
part-time
working? See above
5.
What
advice
should
be
made
available
publicly
(e.g.
through
schools,
FE/HE
institutions,
the
Citizens’
Advice
Bureau)
to
assist
individuals
in
managing
their
finances
and
understanding
the
support
systems
available? As much as possible
6.
How
can
we
make
sure
that
women
are
better
informed
about
their
rights
and
legal
position
in
a
relationship? Some of our members favour pre nuptial contracts and certainly women and men need to be very well informed about the financial implications of various forms of relationships and what follows separation and/or divorce.
Are
there
any
legislative
changes
you
would
make
to
clarify
the
position
between
unmarried
co-habitants?
For
those
who
don’t
feel
comfortable
with
marriage,
should
the
option
of
civil
partnerships
be
extended
to
mixed-sex
couples? Yes, we think mixed sex couples should be able to have the same financial security as same sex couples
Sex
7.
How
does
the
increasing
sexualisation
of
mainstream
culture
affect
our
lives
and
freedoms?
From far too young, it makes the girl child imagine herself in very adult ways and seems to require her to be a particular shape and to look a particular way which is likely to be unattainable and certainly not sustainable thus also undermining the role of older women. In addition, women who are disabled are disadvantaged seriously by such stereotyping and sexualisation.
How
might
we
mitigate
any
negative
affects
of
this? The broadsheets, Radio 4, some TV (soaps included) do now show women in many different (other than sex) roles. But we need women in real life top positions much more frequently. The appalling line up of finance ministers for the G20 with just two women can be read as indicating the lack of seriousness of women – very damaging
8.
How
can
we
ensure
that
children
and
young
people
grow
up
with
strong,
confident
and
successful
female
role
models? If there were the role models up there, this question would not be needed. We need quotas and dramatic steps to be taken by organisations such as political parties to make the changes that put the models in place.
Is
there
anything
that
can
be
done
to
make
the
impact
of
the
media
and
advertising
industries
more
positive? Writers and producers have a good deal of power but the need for viewing figures and the need to raise revenue through advertising dominate.
9.
How
can
we
better
protect
all
members
of
our
society
from
sexual
abuse,
both
within
their
domestic
environment
and
in
their
community? The present changed training of police has made a big difference. Children in school need to understand and be taught from the very youngest up that hitting and hurting are simply not tolerated and that little boys may not under any circumstances hurt little girls. But as they grow the problem needs to be discussed, plays put on that enable children to work out what they may have witnessed and what they may think are tolerable solutions to problems in safe settings. The law and action on it is vital. Men’s organisations such as Respect are also contributing importantly to stopping VAW as is the White Ribbon Campaign. Damage is done by famous figures who ‘forgive’ violence and go on to even marry the perpetrator. But it is helpful when famous figures leave such relationships and talk about it. Support is essential for women’s refuges and for women’s organisations working to combat VAW.
10.
What
can
be
done
to
decrease
the
prevalence
of
sexual
attacks
and
improve
conviction
rates
for
those
guilty
of
rape?
The CPS has an excellent Gender equality plan produced under the legislation on the gender duty. It is actions such as this that will change the rates of reporting, conviction etc and send the right messages. Men’s violence must not be lauded as heroic.
11.
How
can
we
change
attitudes
to
sex
so
that
rape
and
sexual
assault
–
under
any
circumstances
–
is
not
tolerated
by
society
at
large? Somehow, using some of the ideas and practices already mentioned, the attitude needs to be developed that sex is only part of a relationship and not all of it. ‘Both more important and less prominent than it would seem in the present culture’ (from a member). Better sex education and more of it (as above and there is excellent practice, for example in Northern Ireland on this) is essential. But so is the alleviation of poverty, good opportunities for varied education and sports and community work (see also Q 16).
How
could
this
affect
sex
education
amongst
children
and
young
people? See above
12.
How
can
we
best
support
individuals
to
express
their
sexuality
freely;
eliminating
oppression,
fear
of
oppression
and
social
stigma?
13.
Should
a
women’s
paper
be
tackling
the
issue
of
prostitution
and
how
might
it
approach
the
issues? NAWO is strongly committees to the same view as the European Women’s Lobby: prostitution is part of violence against women. No-one should be permitted to buy sex – i.e, to buy a part of a woman’s body (or a man’s). It can be likened to slavery and should not be tolerated in a civilised society. We believe the Swedish model which decriminalises women selling sex and focuses on the demand side, now being taken up in other countries, should be pursued in this country but whole-heartedly and that means considerable resources to enable women to leave prostitution and earn money in other ways and men to change their views of what women are for. We appreciate that the English Collective of Prostitutes considers women choose freely and that it is work like any other (sex work) but this ignores or denies the fact most prostitutes have abuse, poverty and drug use in their backgrounds. Prostitution enhances the idea of women as sex objects and makes it ever more difficult to gain equality. So yes, the topic should form part of this paper. Please see publications available at EWL’s web site: http://www.womenlobby.org.
Relationships/Love
14.
Can
the
government
better
support
and
assist
non-traditional
forms
of
relationships?
15.
Should
there
be
any
taxation
or
legal
provisions
for
individuals
such
as
partners,
siblings,
or
parents
and
children
who
co-habit
for
long
periods
of
time
but
are
not
legally
married
or
in
a
civil
relationship? ‘The government has no role in taxing people according to life style but every role in supporting children and good parenting’. It should evaluate taxes by requiring gender budgeting in all policies and to assess the impact of gender on every policy and benefit. It should also NOT penalise same-sex or cohabiting couples – what is available for the married couple rearing children should be equally available to all couples rearing children while single mothers (and fathers) need special support.
16.
How
should
young
people
be
educated
about
relationships,
sex,
STIs,
and
growing
up?
What
role
might
schools
and
parents
have
in
this? Parents, alas, will not necessarily play an adequate role in this. Sex education is really deeply necessary – there are many imaginative ways of doing it too.
17.
How
can
social
links
be
re-kindled
in
our
society?
Does
the
government
have
any
role
to
play
in
this
or
does
it
fall
to
voluntary
organisations? The government can support initiatives and provide resources. Women are the major builders and supporters of communities but they and their leadership is too often ignored by those with resources – especially government but also church and other community leaders. The media could enable the idea that community service is desirable. ‘Get young people to see it as really cool to work in a Raleigh venture’; for VSO and so forth; and help poorer children to join in.
18.
How
can
we
generate
social
networks
for
those
who
do
not
naturally
have
them? What is natural about it???
19.
How
can
we
support
carers
in
the
valuable
work
that
they
undertake
for
our
society?
What
actions
could
the
government
take
to
better
recognise
and
support
carers’
role?
Lot of work on this – go to the Carers’ associations
Body
Image/Health
20.
How
can
we
encourage
women
to
have
a
more
healthy
body
image?
What
role
could
the
media
and
advertising
play
in
generating
this
change
of
attitude? Lots of images of gorgeous women athletes and famous women like Dame Kelly Holmes, doing what she IS doing – going around schools, encouraging etc. and provide the funding equally to women’s sports as to men’s. Get male sports leaders and athletes to speak out and work for women’s leadership and ability.
21.
How
can
we
as
society
rebalance
our
ideas
about
female
physical
‘perfection’
and
challenge
current
trends
in
critiquing
the
female
aesthetic?
How
can
we
ensure
that
models
are
healthy
and
maintain
a
healthy
body
weight? See above and also get the fashion industry taking more responsible lines and engaging with young women.
22.
How
can
we
make
sport
more
attractive
and
appealing
to
women?
How
can
this
be
achieved
at
school
to
give
an
early
positive
relationship
with
sport? See above
23.
Are
there
any
incentives
that
could
be
used
to
encourage
individuals
to
get
healthy
and
active? As above. Run competitions with serious rewards.
24.
How
successful
have
the
government’s
awareness
programmes
and
campaigns
on
sexual
health
been?
Are
there
any
improvements
which
could
be
made
to
increase
awareness?
25.
How
can
we
get
the
message
about
STIs
across
to
all
young
people,
making
the
most
of
new
technologies
and
innovation?
Men
26.
How
can
we
encourage
men
to
take
a
greater
role
in
their
children’s
lives?
Continue to have men present in the delivery room and able to participate from the word, ‘go’ in their infants and children’s lives. Consider making part of parental leave available only to fathers but be aware that in several countries this has had little success mainly because of the continuing pay gap which makes it economically difficult for fathers to take on this challenge and, obviously, it also does not help women or their babes who are breast feeding. NAWO thinks also we need to be aware that calling this leave ‘parental’ also masks the fact that it is mothers who physically need time after they have given birth and babies also need time in daily contact (including skin contact) with their mothers. ‘Parental’ has the advantage that it stresses dual (at least) responsibility for the child.
It is helpful also to push for more flexible working that will not mean just ‘part time’; that does not lose the flexible worker training and promotion prospects and is as appealing to men and to women. Highlight good practice already out there in place for example in the civil service and some private businesses.
What
role
do
educational
establishments,
the
health
service
and
other
public
organisations
have
to
play
in
this? The gender duty requires them to think through every aspect of their working and they can be and often are leaders in good practice. Unfortunately there has been a grave misunderstanding of the meaning of the gender duty as if it meant the same programmes for men as for women must be provided, but men per se are not in need of empowerment. Dangerously, this has also meant the fact women are sometimes violent has been understood as meaning men require programmes to help them as victims. This misses the point that violence can and does sometimes occur within familial relationships but gender=based violence reflects the deep inequality between men and women (she is attacked by a man because she is female) and also makes that inequality persist.
December
2008
27.
How
can
we
ensure
that,
after
divorce
or
separation,
fathers
are
encouraged
and
enabled
to
maintain
a
role
in
their
children’s
lives?
If there is a history of domestic violence, the children will have seen this and the boys perhaps identified with it. If there has been sexual or physical abuse of the children, they are probably better off without their fathers. Sometimes, perhaps it is frankly better for there to be no or minimal contact but in general most fathers should be enabled to be with and see and nurture their children as well as aiding in their support and future well-being.
Making fathers legally responsible and requiring contributions is essential but it often puts an unfair burden on the mother to recover what she is owed. ‘Good divorce’ is possible, but rare, although the mediation movement has done a lot to help.
28.
How
can
we
remove
traditional
male
values
from
our
society
so
that
both
men
and
women
can
be
truly
equal
in
all
regards?
Values have changed and most young men seem to want to be gentle and available fathers. But many cannot afford the next step – either financially or emotionally because we have lagged behind in what counts as a ‘proper’ man. It is also not clear to women what being a ‘proper woman’ now means either. The same answers keep being repeated – role models and the structure of work needs to change. So does our reward system.
Career
29.
How
can
we
ensure
that
equality
legislation
does
not
adversely
impact
on
women’s
chances
of
employment
or
promotion?
What
role
could
shared
parental
leave
play
in
the
solution?
30.
How
can
we
create
pathways
back
into
work
after
a
child
break?
Should
parents
be
‘forced’
back
into
work
by
the
welfare
system?
It is the case that the best chance of climbing out of poverty and the best self esteem is found in mothers who work for money – i.e. are employed. This reflects on their children’s success too. But ‘forced’ is a big word. Encouraged, yes – choice needs to be there.
31.
How
can
we
best
enable
mature
women
to
get
back
into
the
labour
market
after
a
long
break?
32.
How
can
we
enable
parents
to
spend
the
time
they
want
to
with
their
children?
By changing working hours and by making it clear to an entire work force that staying late is not a good reason per se. Work should be done in working hours and you will not be penalised if your jacket is not over the back of your chair at 8am and 8pm. Give rewards for those who accomplish tasks well within work time limits.
How
do
today’s
working
norms
affect
parent-child
quality
time?
33.
How
can
we
encourage
more
women,
particularly
those
from
non-white
backgrounds,
to
put
themselves
forwards
for
the
‘top’
positions
in
our
society
–
MPs,
senior
barristers,
executive
directors
and
the
top
echelon
of
positions
in
business.
Programmes are needed that tackle specific obstacles – lack of cash; a need for affordable and good quality childcare; lack of confidence and a culture which may be against their working, with practical advice. Also support self-help groups whose members work out for themselves what the best development programmes are for them, and help each other.
34.
How
can
we
encourage
more
girls
to
do
traditionally
‘male’
subjects
at
school?
How
can
we
encourage
boys
to
do
traditionally
‘female’
subjects?
35.
Do
working
class
women
face
particular
challenges
in
terms
of
achievement,
promotion
and
opportunities
available
to
their
peers?
Feeling
Safe
36.
How
can
we
achieve
a
safe
environment
on
our
streets
and
how
can
we
enable
individuals
to
feel
safe?
Is
there
anything
particular
which
could
impact
on
women’s
perception
of
public
safety?
Ordinary changes like street lighting; litter clearance help. Publish widely the actual figures for crime and where it occurs – great deal of anxiety is poorly grounded in facts. Women sometimes find martial arts or similar helpful in gaining confidence. Provide women only transport - carriages on trains and underground after certain hours. Also campaigns that make it clear women are entitled to be out at night and men are not entitled to harass them. And ‘most hoodies are not dangerous – just lads practising growing up’.
37.
How
should
the
criminal
justice
system
be
reformed
to
better
address
the
specific
needs
and
challenges
of
the
female
population
it
serves?
What
alternatives
to
prison
might
be
appropriate
for
female
offenders?
38.
How
can
we
ensure
that
all
offenders
receive
assistance
with
mental,
emotional
and
drug
problems
which
is
appropriate
to
their
needs?
39.
What
can
the
government
do
to
turn
lives
around
in
the
criminal
justice
system,
reducing
re-offending
and
rehabilitating
people
back
into
mainstream
society?
Are
there
any
particular
examples
of
successful
innovation
in
this
area?
40.
How
can
we
make
the
face
of
the
criminal
justice
system
more
female,
by
encouraging
more
women
into
the
police
force
and
the
top
jobs
within
the
legal
profession?
Do explore the Fawcett Society publications on the criminal justice system – also support the implementation of Corston.
March 26th, 2009 at 8:57 am
Maternity, Midwifery and Breastfeeding
Firstly, with regard to childbirth, although we should have choices in childbirth and this is an ideal enshrined in law, in practice the option of homebirth is increasingly not available and women often give birth in warehouse-like large consultant led units in places far from their home. To counter this, there are movements to make midwife led units available in areas where there is no consultant-led unit, and to ensure that women can have access to independent midwives free of charge, in order to have a homebirth in areas where this is not supported by hospitals. We should also aim to support the status of midwives and to lower the artificially high Caesarean rates.
With regard to breastfeeding and perinatal care, I believe we should be supporting the Innocenti Declaration and the Who Code of Marketing for Breastmilk substitutes, as well as the Baby Friendly Hospital initiative, all of which have strong international status. Women who want to Breastfeed should have access to support that makes this possible. Efforts should be amde to support the ‘lost 25 per cent’ of mothers who wanted to breastfeed but did not receive the support.
Although Liberal Democrat policy admirably supports paternal involvement, I would like to see recognition for the additional physical and emotional demands on breastfeeding mothers, especially where a choice is made to extend breastfeeding for the two years recommended by WHO as a worldwide standard for optimal health.
In addition, Britain has very poor breastfeeding rates, by international standards. It is clear that legislation can make a huge difference, and this has been seen in countries like Sweden and Brazil.
Midwives should be supported and given appropriate professional recognition, status and independence.
I want to think through some of these ideas and expand on them, but these are some initial thoughts.
Sincerely
Louise Lotz