Women's Views on News |
- Last Night of the Proms baton passes to a woman
- Tatler magazine makes a boob
- Sports round-up: 15-21 April
- More help in fighting domestic abuse
| Last Night of the Proms baton passes to a woman Posted: 22 Apr 2013 08:30 AM PDT
Every year, thousands upon thousands of people flock to London from all over the globe to participate in what the English call the biggest and brightest classical music festival in the world – the Proms. This year’s season features a number of 'firsts' for the Proms – for the first time, there is a free evening Prom, an Urban Classic Prom, a visit from the tour de force that is the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America and a performance of Wagner's complete Ring cycle. Great news for Prom-ites, indeed. But making perhaps even bigger musical history is Marin Alsop, American conductor and Musical Director of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Alsop has made many appearances at the grand old Albert Hall, but this year she will become the first woman ever to direct the pomp and circumstance that is the Last Night. A former pupil of the legendary Leonard Bernstein, she has notched up a few firsts of her own. She was the first woman to be awarded the Koussevitzky Conducting Prize from the Tanglewood Music Centre, and the first woman to head up a full time major American orchestra, although years of graft and commitment in the UK failed to secure her a top job here. But now she has the Last Night of the Proms, or LNOTP as it has become affectionately known. The BBC announced their concert programme and the news of Alsop's historical appearance last week, but Director of the BBC Proms, Roger Wright, was quick to make it clear that her gender had nothing to do with her selection. He said, 'Marin hasn't been chosen because she is a woman conductor. She knows and loves the Proms and has a very good relationship with the BBC Symphony Orchestra. We've built a programme for the Last Night that plays to her strengths.' Wright also referred to the historical void of female conductors, saying 'There are some renowned orchestras which are male dominated. ‘There are issues about the sort of schooling conductors go through and how family roles have been divided traditionally; role models have been slow to come through. 'It's great that we now have a number of very good women conductors. Marin is one of five women out of around 50 conductors at this year's Proms. But the BBC can only solve so many problems of the world.' Well, it only took them 118 years. Regardless, Roger Wright has a point when he refers to ‘male-dominated’ orchestras. As unbelievable as it may seem, one of the 'renowned' orchestras he referred to, which incidentally is also one of the best known orchestras in the world, is the Vienna Philharmonic, which only began admitting women full-time to their ranks in 1997. And that was only after a protest in America. To this day, there are still only six full-time female members of the orchestra. Their New Year concert is billed as the biggest concert date of the year – watched on television by as many as 60 million viewers in 81 countries With perhaps the biggest following in the world, the Vienna Philharmonic paints a bleak picture for what is still acceptable – sexism in the guise of art. Sadly, institutional sexism is something that has plagued the concert halls of classical music since conductors first raised their batons. Historically, the world of classical music has always been a hostile environment for women – conductors, composers and performers alike, although there are happily more female soloists now than ever before. But the rank and file of orchestras in general is still pretty bereft of women, especially in European orchestras. Only fourteen per cent of the Berlin Philharmonic are female, the Czech Philharmonic around twelve per cent, the Dresden Philharmonic twenty eight per cent and the London Symphony Orchestra twenty nine per cent, although other British orchestras do rather better, as do American orchestras. But the number of female conductors remains low. Indeed, Marin Alsop has few female peers; Simone Young, music director of Opera Australia and Andrea Quinn, music director of New York City Ballet are the two most obvious. So all eyes will be on Alsop on the LNOTP, not just because of her incredible musical energy, talent and experience, but because she is somewhat of an anomaly in her world, achieving success in what remains stubbornly a male-dominated profession. Of her appointment to the LNOTP, she says on her website: 'I am extraordinarily proud to be the “first” but I am also shocked by the fact that in the 21st century there can still be “firsts” for women! 'While gender seems an inconsequential and irrelevant attribute to me, I also understand what an incredible opportunity it is to be a “first woman” in any pursuit. ‘I am in a position now to create opportunities for the next generations of women and I take that responsibility very seriously.' She is not, however, unaware of the sexist prejudice that still exists in her field. 'The hardest thing for me is always to get a big sound from the orchestra without being very demanding or apologising. ‘As a woman, if you’re too aggressive people think, “She’s so overpowering. What’s she on us for?” But if a man does the same gesture, it’s regarded as strong and virile.' But given the challenges she has faced, her perspective remains refreshingly, and somewhat surprisingly, down to earth. 'When people ask me, “What’s it like to be a woman conductor?” I have no perspective. I’ve always been a woman conductor. I have never been, say, a lizard conductor.' She sounds great, doesn't she? And of the future? 'There are certainly more women going into the field these days. When I teach it’s generally a 50/50 ratio of men to women and I don’t think women hesitate as much to consider a career as a conductor these days. 'As far as opportunities, I would imagine that there are more now than ever before, but it would be naive not to notice that there are no women music directors of any major orchestras in the world…' For whatever reason, Marin Alsop is definitely worth a watch. She is exuberant, she is musical, she is talented and she engages her audiences. And she loves being a woman conductor. 'Frequently women tell me that they feel empowered and can relate very directly with a woman conducting. ‘And at the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s opening gala a female journalist told me that the woman seated next to her, dressed is a formal gown, stood up and high-fived her at the end of the concert. Now that is cool.' I wonder what the founder and creator of the Proms all those years ago would think? Would he approve? I think Sir Henry would.  |
| Posted: 22 Apr 2013 07:05 AM PDT
Tatler Magazine has been gracing the shelves of the more discerning newsagent for some years now – in fact, we are lead to believe it is the longest running magazine publication in the world. It focuses on 'the glamorous lives and lifestyles of the upper class'. According to Wikipedia. It's not on my monthly digest, alas. But is also supposed to be gently satirical and quietly witty. Basically, it covers British high society – what parties they are going to, what they are wearing, who they are wearing, where they are shooting, shopping and schmoozing. Such fun! It sounds like a big old snooze-fest to me, but hey, each to their own. But here's the rub. The magazine is generally accepted to be for women, and it is also predominantly put together by women – though it pains me to say it. However, they will be winning no prizes for feminism if May's edition of the Tatler is anything to go by. In a headline worthy of a double take, they have presented 'Titler's Best Society Breasts'. Oh, what a witty pun. The online contents page goes further, billing the article as 'Booblicious! Tatler presents (fanfare please) Albion’s top toff knockers', and the article itself has the headline 'Behold! The most magnificent breasts in all society.' The article, along with some extremely useful visual aids to illustrate their points (oops), presents a list of notable women and describes their breasts – nay tits – in relation to their character. So, according to the Tatler, Helen Mirren is 'Theatrical Tits', Princess Eugenie is 'Royal Tits', Lily Cole is 'Ginger Tits', Sophie Dahl is 'BFG Tits' and so on and so forth. The descriptions themselves are puerile enough, but to reduce a list of eminent women to nothing more than a pair of breasts is something you would expect from any number of lads mags, not some society light-weight toff rag that is aimed at (some) women. There has, of course, been a backlash to 'Tits-gate', from a Facebook and Twitter page to some magazine readers themselves, who according to the arbiter of all that is tasteful and non-sexist, the Daily Mail, 'expressed horror at what they say is a misogynistic article'. Former MP Louise Mensch, who was featured as 'Tweeting Tits' had this to say (or, indeed tweet): 'So, Tatler with lead feature “Titler: Big Society Tits” in which I feature as “Tweeting Tits”. Please don’t edit magazines drunk.’ And 'Featuring a bunch of women in public life as “X Tits” is for some misogynist rag like Vice, not for a woman’s mag, however childish/snobby.' Fighting words from a woman who writes for the Sun newspaper, who are not adverse to a breast or two themselves. Nevertheless, she has a point. And the Facebook page 'No to Titler at Tatler' was quick to voice dissent, saying 'Tell Tatler – Characterising respected women’s ‘tits’ is demeaning, degrading and will not be tolerated!!' They have been featured in much of the mainstream press with their campaign, and it seems that many are sympathetic to the cause. But what is most surprising about the Tatler's article isn't so much their lack of taste, but the lack of criticism from sources where it might be most expected. Alexandra Jones said, in The Guardian: “Their feature might have been misguided in its assumption that everyone would find it as much of a right-rollicking laugh as they do but that doesn’t mean that they weren’t seriously trying to celebrate “the most magnificent, marvellous breasts in all society.” She also said that maybe the 'Tatler is just embracing its feminist side (albeit in its own particular Sloaney way.)’ Cosmopolitan said that to to cry “degradation” every time a piece draws attention to particularly lovely examples is an oversimplification and that 'The only truly sketchy thing here is that the women didn’t consent to the roundup.' Well, do they ever? Isn't that part of the problem? The truth is that no-one opens the pages of the Tatler expecting to find editorials on gender segregation in the workplace. It doesn't expose sexism or gender pay gaps and it doesn't lobby for better female political representation. All in all, it's fair to say that they don't take themselves particularly seriously there, with other articles in May's edition such as 'Pet of the Month – what it’s like to be… Prince Childs, Amy Childs’s pug?' But so what? What are we saying? That sometimes it's ok to judge or describe a woman based on her breasts alone? That, as long as it's tongue in cheek, it's ok to parody someone based on their breasts? Would Lily Cole titter in an amused fashion at 'Ginger Tits'? I hope not. Derisive descriptions and definitions of a woman's body is not funny. A three-page article based on 'tits' is not funny. The fact that the women featured were ignorant of their inclusion is not funny. Whether it's the Daily Mail, the Sun orthe Tatler Magazine, isn't it time we just stopped being so tediously tit-centric? Women have breasts. Get over it.  |
| Posted: 22 Apr 2013 03:00 AM PDT
BMX: Shanaze Reade won both the time-trial and motocross events at the BMX World Cup in Manchester this weekend. In an interview with the BBC Reade said, “It was good just to win. It’s my home track so I know it pretty well. I’m really pleased to piece it all together and do a solid lap to finish with.” Football: The second round of games in the Women’s Super League (WSL) saw some exciting games this week. On April 18, Bristol Academy came out on top in a seven goal thriller, winning 4-3 over Everton. Bristol went ahead through Ann-Marie Heatherson before Everton came back with two goals from Toni Duggan, the second a penalty. Bristol drew level with a goal from their Spanish striker Natalia Sanchon and then took the lead again through Corinne Yorston. Everton looked to have earned a point when Alex Greenwood made it 3-3, but Bristol were not to be outdone as Yorston scored her second nine minutes from time. On April 20, Chelsea thumped Doncaster Belles 4-0 to go top of the table. Swedish striker Sofia Jakobssen scored twice, with the other goals coming from England striker Eni Aluko and Helen Ward. In the final game of the week on April 21, Birmingham took a point against Lincoln when England captain Casey Stoney conceded an own goal in the last five minutes when she deflected Kirsty Linnett's shot into the net. Lincoln had been on top throughout, taking the lead through England striker Jess Clarke. Speaking after the match, Stoney was clearly disappointed. "We couldn't clear the ball, it came across quite powerfully and I couldn't get my feet out of the way so it's just unfortunate,” she said. “To be honest I don't think we deserved that, I thought we were worthy of the three points, but we haven't come here and got a point before so for us it's a positive.” In Europe, Arsenal Ladies disappointingly went out of the Champions' League this week to German side Wolfsburg. They were 2-0 down after the first leg of the semi-final and went to Germany as clear underdogs. Unfortunately they couldn't pull back the deficit and lost 2-1. Selina Wagner scored first for Wolfsburg, practically putting the tie out of reach. Scotland midfielder Kim Little equalised for Arsenal, giving them hope, but Nadine Kessler scored again to knock out Arsenal in the semi-finals for the third year in a row. London Marathon: Kenya's Priscah Jeptoo took first place in the London Marathon on April 21 in a time of two hours 20 minutes and 13 seconds. The first British woman home was Susan Partridge, who finished in two hours thirty minutes and 45 seconds, 15 seconds inside the qualifying time for August's World Championships. In the women's wheelchair race, Britain's Shelly Woods came in fifth. American Tatyana McFadden took her second title in a week after completing the Boston/London double. Tennis: Britain's women lost their Fed Cup match against Argentina, on April 21, 3-1. Paula Ormaechea had taken the first rubber 6-3 6-2 against Johanna Konta, but Laura Robson beat Florencia Molinero 6-1 6-1 to level the tie. In the reverse singles, however, Robson then lost to Ormaechea 4-6 6-4 2-6 and Elena Baltacha, drafted in and returning after over eight months out with injury lost to Maria Irigoyan 5-7 6-3 1-6. This made the doubles a dead rubber. GB will now return to the Euro/Africa Group 1.  |
| More help in fighting domestic abuse Posted: 22 Apr 2013 01:09 AM PDT
Domestic abuse costs British businesses more than £1.9 billion every year, yet it remains a taboo subject for many employers. In fact, research suggests that in the UK in any one year, more than 20 per cent of employed women take time off work because of domestic violence, and two per cent lose their jobs as a direct result of the abuse. Going to work is an every day activity that many women do, but it can be very difficult to face people, to work efficiently, and to interact with colleagues when you are being abused at home. For some the workplace may be a safe haven, but around three quarters of women who experience domestic abuse are also targeted at work – from harassing phone calls and the unannounced arrival of abusive partners, to physical assaults. In response to these very real issues, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) along with the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, has issued new guidance for employers, designed to help them manage and support employees affected by domestic abuse. “Domestic abuse is an issue that can follow women to work and affects thousands of working women every day. “Given that one in four women will experience domestic abuse at some point in their lifetime, it is very likely that all workplaces have staff that have experienced or are experiencing domestic abuse,” said Ann Beynon, EHRC Commissioner for Wales. The guidance is designed to help employers develop a domestic abuse workplace policy, provides tips for managers and suggests a number small small steps which can make a big difference to employees who may be experiencing abuse; giving an employee time off to consult a lawyer, diverting telephone calls or providing a safe car park space or example. According to the EHRC, domestic abuse is a subject that managers struggle to respond to appropriately, and victims of domestic abuse can be subject to disciplinary action and even lose their jobs because of their behaviour, at a time when maintaining their economic independence is crucial. A workplace culture which believes what happens at home stays at home is misguided and outdated. By its very nature this type of abuse often goes on behind closed doors, but its impact is felt much more widely. Until as late as the 1980s ‘domestic disputes’ were viewed by police and society as a ‘private’ issue. Only in recent years have we seen a concerted effort to really tackle the issue in the UK, with investment in public services and changes in legislation. Last month the government published an update to its action plan to end violence against women and girls; it claims to have ring-fenced nearly £40 million for specialist victim services and has extended the definition of domestic violence, introduced new stalking offences and announced the criminalisation of forced marriage. It has also piloted Clare’s law, a scheme which was met with opposition from some leading domestic abuse charities that allows people to check if their partner has a violent past. And one of Britain’s most senior police officers, has said that domestic violence is the greatest cause of harm in British society. Speaking at the Tackling Britain’s Gang Culture conference earlier this year Chief Superintendent John Sutherland of the Metropolitan police said: “I think we’ve barely begun to understand the secondary impact that violence has on these people whose homes it’s happening in, I promise you, it’s having a devastating effect. I regard domestic violence as the single greatest cause of harm in society.” As well as the devastating impact domestic abuse has on its victims, it is clear that the effects are far-reaching; from children being brought up in violent households to the knock-on effects on business productivity and the economy. These guidelines should at the very least help raise awareness of domestic abuse issues among employers and other staff members. As a society we are slowly coming round to the idea that this is not a private matter; it affects us all in one way or another.  |
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