Women's Views on News |
- Women to be taken out of A level politics
- Support for Muslim women and girls in the UK
- WE can now stand candidates
| Women to be taken out of A level politics Posted: 27 Nov 2015 12:55 PM PST T Earlier this month the UK government's Department for Education (DfE) and Ofqual put forward proposals for a revised Politics ‘A’ Level syllabus. The details of the revised syllabus proposal ‘Politics – Draft AS and A Level subject content’ can be found here. It doesn't include feminism. In the current syllabus there is a section on 'feminism', unarguably one of the most important social rights movements that the UK has ever seen, spanning several centuries and continuing to this day. The current syllabus can be found here. But in the proposed syllabus the section on feminism has gone, along with the topics of sex/gender, gender equality, patriarchy, the public/private divide and essentialism. If this proposed syllabus goes ahead, after the next syllabus revision, British sixth form and college students will no longer learn about feminism. And the women in the syllabus? Women are still there, but only just. The Suffragette movement, arguably the most important female rights movement that ever existed, has been neatly squeezed into the 'pressure groups' section, along with questions such as 'whether pressure groups help or hinder society'. And Mary Wollstonecraft has been fitted into ‘liberalism’ – and is the only female thinker in that section, as well as the only female thinker in the entire proposed politics syllabus at A Level. That's despite leading thinkers in conservatism and socialism being cited – they are just all men. But, as Jaqeulyn Guderley, co-founder of @Stemettes, points out in her blog, that's 1 x female rights movement and 1 x female thinker in the entire new A Level Politics syllabus – despite the fact that it is 2015 and we are going through a huge feminist revival. And even if we weren't, our daughters and granddaughters, sons and grandsons, nieces, nephews, and families need to know about the movements and key female figures that got women to where they are today. The stage of gender equality which we are now at. This is so important, as Guderley points out. It is important because we are still striving, still moving forward, fighting against the remaining societal pieces – norms, traditions, prejudices – that stand in the way of complete gender equality. We still have some way to go. It is 2015. If we know nothing of key social and political milestones – women gaining the right to matriculate and graduate from many universities in 1920 and gaining the right to vote in 1928 – how can we learn from them and progress? This syllabus change can't happen. The government has a responsibility to everyone, including themselves, to be a progressive force for change; to allow this country and this world to march towards betterment. This change can't happen and it mustn't happen. Women's voices are often silenced. We mustn’t let them silence women's voices from the past too. What can you do? The government is still consulting on their decision, so there is still time to change the conclusion. Visit this consultations page 'Further additional GCSE and A Level Subject Consultation' and counter their proposal. Or go and remark on the proposed changes via the Political Studies Association website link. You have until 15 December. You can also show your support for women's right to have a voice, now and in the past, by signing – and sharing all over your friends’ pages and social media – this petition created by 'A' Level politics student June Eric-Udorie and join Jacquelyn Guderley and the many other women who want women to be written into history, not erased from it all together. And then write to or Tweet the Minister for Women and Equalities and the Secretary of State for Education and ask her what on earth she is doing. Thanks. |
| Support for Muslim women and girls in the UK Posted: 27 Nov 2015 12:31 PM PST
The Muslim Women's Network UK (MWNUK), a national charity that works to improve social justice and equality for Muslim women and girls, was, like so many of us, shocked and angry at the recent terrorist attacks that took place in Beirut and Paris. Responding to the attacks, MWNUK said: ‘We must do all we can to reclaim Islam from extremists who purposefully manipulate religious texts to justify hatred and murder for their own political agendas and in doing so are dishonouring God and Islam. ‘The Quran warns us about these religious zealots: Exceed not in your religion (Quran 5:77).’ And MWNUK’s chair, Shaista Gohir, said: "Sadly there are others who have been circling like vultures, shamelessly using the Paris attacks to promote their own versions of extremism and promoting hatred of Muslims. "We must," she said, "remain resilient in the face of all forms of extremism. "ISIS wants to trigger an Islamophobic backlash to reinforce their narrative that there is a 'war on Muslims' and use this as a recruitment tool. "Sadly the backlash may also result in the targeting of refugees who themselves are fleeing the terror of ISIS." "It is important to remain vigilant; it could easily have been London or any other city in the UK," she added. "We must remember that although the highest numbers of European fighters that have joined ISIS are from France, the second highest numbers are from the UK. "To warn against joining ISIS, [MWNUK] have produced a 30-second video, ‘Say No to ISIS‘. "We urge that any concerns people have are reported to the police. "People can also talk to us [at MWNUK] if they are worried about any Muslim women and girls who may be thinking of traveling abroad to join ISIS." It is clear, MWNUK pointed out, that the overwhelming majority of British Muslims are outraged at this brutal assault on innocent civilians. And it is unfortunate that there is a minority which has refused to condemn the Paris terror attacks because they feel 'they should not have to just because they are Muslim' or because 'there is no equivalent outrage of murders of innocent Muslims such as those killed by ISIS in Beirut or those Muslims who are killed through Western bombings.' Such critics themselves also portray double standards, MWNUK continued, because they show less moral outrage when Muslims are killed by people from their own faith (such as by ISIS) and are angrier when Muslims are killed by non-Muslims. As decent human beings we should condemn all violence regardless of faith or whether people have denounced other forms of violence or not; two wrongs do not make a right. Unfortunately, the likelihood is that the Paris attacks will also result in increased hate crimes, particularly against Muslim women and girls. It is important that these are also reported to the police. Discrimination by employers, work colleagues, fellow students or pupils and public servants may also occur. If you have been affected you can call the MWNUK helpline for advice on 0800 999 5786 or 0303 999 5786. In an emergency call 999. Editor’s note: there have been several instances reported in the UK news recently of Muslim women being insulted, assaulted, harrassed in public spaces while people simply watch. Insult, assault and harassment count as an emergency, sisters: you can call 999 as soon as you can safely do so. |
| Posted: 27 Nov 2015 05:49 AM PST
The Women's Equality Party (WE) has announced that they have raised enough funds to stand candidates in the London mayoral race, the London and Welsh Assembly elections and the Scottish Parliament elections next May. Following a previous call to WE members and supporters for donations, and a crowd-funding campaign, the party have raised the over £31,000 needed to fund candidates. Donations will help to support candidates and break down barriers that prevent women from standing for election. These include childcare costs for candidates who need support, mentoring during the entire campaign and bursaries to support candidates who would otherwise be unable to stand. The leader of WE, Sophie Walker said, "Our amazing members and supporters exceeded all our expectations, hitting the £31k target in 6 days, 22 hours and 50 minutes. "They are determined WE become an electoral force, challenging seats in 2016. "WE are a new political party, we're growing fast, and we're doing things differently." "The incredible support we've received shows there is a real appetite for change," Walker continued. "For the first time people will have the chance to vote for candidates who are united in their determination to see women enjoy the same rights and opportunities as men." "WE are calling for more support for vital services for women and girls under threat. "WE will stand against those parties who are not doing enough to promote gender equality in this country. And," she said, "WE are confident we will win." The party is continuing to raise money for candidates in order to ensure that the campaign is strengthened. To find out more about the campaign and to read the Women's Equality Party's policies, click here. You can also follow WE and keep up-to-date with all the latest news via their Facebook page and Twitter. |
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