Women's Views on News |
- Lean In revisited: swap ‘bossy’ for ‘feminist’
- Police call for rape victims to report offences
- New hope for a male birth control pill
- An open letter to the University of London
| Lean In revisited: swap ‘bossy’ for ‘feminist’ Posted: 12 Dec 2013 08:39 AM PST
TED is a nonprofit organisation devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. It started out in 1984 as a conference bringing together people from three worlds: Technology, Entertainment, Design. Since then its scope has become increasingly broader. The idea of the TED conferences is to bring together the world’s most fascinating thinkers and doers, who are challenged to give the talk of their lives – in 18 minutes or less. TEDWomen 2013 took place in San Francisco this year, from 4-6 December. And as part of the TEDWomen conference, local TEDx also took place between 5 and 6 December and celebrated innovative people in their own communities. The TEDx programme is designed to give communities, organisations and individuals the opportunity to stimulate dialogue through TED-like experiences at the local level. There were more than 220 TEDx events in 58 countries presenting local speakers around the theme "Invented Here." Not just technology inventions, but also new solutions to poverty; new approaches to leadership; new expressions of art and music; and, at times, the invention of our own lives. The result was a truly global conversation — from San Francisco to São Paulo to Seoul — celebrating inventors and designers, thinkers and makers, local problem-solvers and global leaders. Some of the questions asked were: How does geography impact innovation? How would new technologies shape our lives? Can inventions help us lead longer, better lives? How can meaningful change be imagined, fostered, and scaled? TEDxBelfastWomen event took place on 6 December. The speaker line-up included some well-known and not so well-known, local and not so local, speakers, and the audience shared the livestream from the main TEDWomen event in San Francisco on 5 December. Over the past three years, TEDWomen has launched some powerful ideas into the world, one of which was a talk Sheryl Sandberg – currently chief operating officer of Facebook, gave in 2010 that led to her controversial groundbreaking book ‘Lean In‘. This year Sandberg spoke to co-host Pat Mitchell, in a Q&A follow-up, and was watched worldwide on the livestream. Both the talk she gave in 2010 and the book have had extraordinary global effects; there is more dialogue about the issue of women and careers, for one thing. But Sandberg is more interested in the changes and the actions that are occurring. "Everywhere I go, CEOs, mostly men, say to me, 'You're costing me so much money," because women are speaking up and asking for what they feel they deserve. "To them I say, I'm not sorry at all," she said. And she described the "circles" who meet every month to discuss their lives and empower each other — there are now 12,000 such circles in 50 countries. "The book [Lean In] is about self-confidence and equality. "Everywhere in the world women need more self-confidence because the world tells us we're not equal to men," she continued. "I've never met a man who has been asked how he does it all." And she asked women in the audience who have been asked this question to raise their hands: it was a lot of women. "We assume men can do it all, and we assume women can't. That's ridiculous." And things aren't changing quickly enough. "I try to say this strongly and I need to say it more strongly: the status quo is not enough," she said. The latest census data show no movement in pay equality: at best, a woman is paid 77 cents to a man's dollar, and that figure hasn't improved since 2002. It's not good enough. "We are stagnating in so many ways. We are not really being honest about that for so many reasons," she concluded. "It's so hard to talk about gender. We shy away from 'feminist,' and it's a word I think we have to embrace." "We need to get rid of the word 'bossy' and bring back the word 'feminist.'"  |
| Police call for rape victims to report offences Posted: 12 Dec 2013 08:09 AM PST
The reporting of rape and other sexual offences by victims has always been low. Feelings of embarrassment and a lack of confidence in the criminal justice system combine to keep victims silent. A leading police officer has, however, said this must change. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Martin Hewitt, the Association of Chief Police Officers national lead for adult sexual offences, believes victims of rape must be encouraged to report attacks. In a statement, Hewitt emphasised the importance of ensuring that victims are aware that the offence will be thoroughly investigated and that there is support available. The police chief did, however, say that victims must be made aware of the difficulties there are in securing convictions. “We need to be honest about the challenges that are faced in investigating and prosecuting rape,” he said, and added that despite the conviction rate being at an "all-time high", a third of rape prosecutions do not result in a conviction. “A lot of people feel that they will be questioned or they will be seen as being culpable. “So the message that I want to give is you will be listened to, you will be believed, and that it is really important for people to report these offences so we understand how much of this crime is happening,” he said. Hewitt also made it clear that reporting was essential as it not only triggered a full investigation into the offence, but it also meant that victims were offered access to medical treatment and support services to help them deal with their experience. Debate on the issue, Hewitt continued, was “far too often” restricted to investigation and prosecution and called for a “challenging debate about prevention as well”. “Most rape involves the coming together of some form of power and some type of vulnerability; either permanent or temporary,” he said. “We need to be utilising all our powers and tactics to understand how this happens, to mitigate the vulnerability and reduce the opportunities for that power to be abused.” Reporting of sexual offences has risen by 9 per cent this year, the largest increase since current records began. Talking about reporting rape, Jordan Hart, a rape survivor whose attacker was convicted and sentenced to eleven years in prison, said: “Reporting to the police gave me peace of mind, knowing I hadn’t been beaten by him. "I was supported by my SOIT (Sexual Offence Investigative Techniques) officer who gave me advice, guidance, explained what was going to happen and how long it would take. "I didn’t do anything alone." In an effort to boost reporting, the CPS has created a number of specialist units across the UK dedicated to dealing with cases of rape and other sexual offences. The Director of Public Prosecutions, Alison Saunders, said: "These units are staffed by trained prosecutors with expertise in handling rape cases, including detailed understanding of the psychological effects of sexual violence, how to challenge the associated myths and stereotypes and, importantly, ensuring victims are given the support they deserve.” Police forces throughout the UK ran campaigns highlighting how they deal with rape and sexual offences, the support available to victims and the realities of the judicial system. This is part of a series of spotlights on different issues for a week each month, including alcohol harm, domestic abuse and cyber crime.  |
| New hope for a male birth control pill Posted: 12 Dec 2013 04:37 AM PST
If further work on this discovery is successful, scientists hope that an oral male contraceptive pill could be available within 10 years. Widespread availability of such a pill would have the potential to drastically alter the pressure on women to be responsible for contraception. The willingness of men to take on some of that responsibility is often part of the discussions about male birth control, and this report alludes to that, saying 'A lack of ejaculate has the potential to be disconcerting.' Writing in the Guardian, Daisy Buchanan said, 'It's exciting that science could be about to give men the opportunity to be more involved than ever in family planning [since] contraception should be a shared responsibility.' Male birth control has been a medical challenge for many years, due in large part to the constant vast numbers of sperm men produce as opposed to the single egg that women produce once a month. Previous problems with finding a male birth control option included too many side effects from hormonal methods, high probabilities of birth defects once treatment ended and the physical barriers in a man's body that prevent drugs easy access to the process of sperm production. The new study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, reported success in blocking the transport of sperm, rather than its production. The pill blocks two proteins and thus prevents the necessary muscles from ejaculating sperm during intercourse, exactly what is needed to make male birth control a reality. Blocking the transport of sperm is non-hormonal, there were no apparent side effects and the effect is easily reversible. So, although women cannot yet set aside their responsibility and still need to choose – or find out – which of the many available female contraceptives they can use effectively, there is more than a little hope that in the relatively near future, men will be able to take up their part in managing contraception.  |
| An open letter to the University of London Posted: 12 Dec 2013 01:09 AM PST
Human Rights students from University College London (UCL) have written an open letter to the vice-chancellor and chief operating officer of the University of London to request they take action to revoke a court order against student protests on University of London grounds. Last week, the University of London obtained a court order that bans all "occupational protests" on areas of its campus until June 2014. Anyone who breaches the order can be charged with contempt of court. On 10 December, which is internationally recognised as Human Rights Day, the signatories of the open letter ask that the University of London consider the impact of its decision on the democratic rights of its students (such as the rights to 'freedom of expression' and 'freedom of assembly and association' that are included in the European Convention on Human Rights), and support their right to peacefully protest. The letter also suggests that the University should engage in 'meaningful and respectful dialogue with student-led campaigns, instead of threatening peaceful protestors with legal action'. Amongst others, the University of London represents University College London, the London School of Economics, the School of Oriental and African Studies and Birkbeck College. All of these institutions offer courses in the study of human rights. The democratic rights to 'freedom of expression' and 'freedom of assembly and association' are enshrined in Articles 10 and 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Explaining why they wrote this letter, the students said, 'In the light of recent protests at the University of London, where student protestors were calling for the labour rights of university cleaners and an end to the commercialisation of educational establishments, we believe a ban on occupational protests is disproportionate. 'We do not believe that universities are solely the property of their management. Without students, lecturers and support staff, there would be no university'. The letter has attracted the support of individuals from other Universities, and will remain open for additional signatures (not restricted to University of London) to be added in solidarity over the coming days. The letter, dated 10th of December 2013: Human Rights Day runs: Dear Vice-Chancellor Adrian Smith and Chief Operating Officer Chris Cobb, On International Human Rights day, as recent alumni and current students of the University of London, we would like to express our deep concern regarding the court order, obtained on the 4th of December, banning occupational protests in parts of the University of London's Holborn campus. We believe that this court order restricts students' right to peaceful protest and contradicts the spirit of the University of London's own human rights curriculum. We chose to come to the University of London, a world-leading academic institution, to study a Masters degree in human rights. As the University of London offers human rights courses in four of its major colleges, we are deeply disturbed by the institution's decision to curtail the democratic rights of its students on campus. The court order threatens students with imprisonment or fines for all occupational protests taking place in certain areas of the University of London campus during the next six months. We believe that this undermines students' rights to freedom of assembly and expression, and restricts their ability to engage in critical dialogue with the University of London community, as well as with wider society. The University of London has stated that it will not stop peaceful protests from taking place, despite imposing a ban on all occupational protests in some parts of its campus. If the University does intend to permit all peaceful protests taking place during the next six months, it is not clear why the obtained court order is necessary. We are concerned that the ban will act as a limitation and deterrent for all protests, including those that do not involve occupation. We acknowledge that, should a student behave violently during a protest, they may face legal consequences. However, imposing a ban on all occupational protests in certain areas of the University campus is an entirely disproportionate response. The University of London ought to engage in meaningful and respectful dialogue with student-led campaigns instead of threatening peaceful protestors with legal action. Furthermore, we are highly concerned regarding the alleged police violence against student protestors at the University of London campus in the first week of December. An immediate, impartial and thorough investigation should be conducted into these allegations. In summary, the University of London's response to recent student protests has been disproportionate and an alarming curtailment of students' democratic rights and freedoms. We urge you to immediately call on the High Court of Justice to revoke the order restricting students' ability to protest. The University of London must also offer its full support to investigations into alleged police violence against student protestors. Universities ought to be nuclei of societal dialogue, as well as progressive political thought and action. Under no circumstances should they repress peaceful demonstrations. We stand in solidarity with all students of the University who exercise their right to peaceful protest, and denounce all attempts to curtail this right. We ask you to ensure that the University of London acts in accordance with the essential spirit of human rights, including the rights to assembly and expression, the theory and practice of which are taught in the lecture theatres and rooms of your own institutions. Thank you for your attention on this urgent matter. Yours Sincerely, Students of the MA Human Rights Course 1. Rachel Nye, UCL 2. Janey Stephenson, UCL 3. Shirley van der Maarel, UCL 4. Mark Arnold, UCL 5. Milja Komulainen, UCL 6. Will Clark, UCL 7. Hana Farhat, UCL 8. Aoife Ní Chorcoráin, UCL 9. Jennifer Higgins, UCL 10. Aurora Percanella, UCL 11. Katherine Wall, UCL 12. Jelmarie Rodriquez, UCL 13. Francisca Stewart, UCL 14. Beth McManus, UCL 15. Erin Mee, UCL 16. Cem Gurkan, UCL 17. Sebastian Smart, UCL 18. Shae Kay, UCL 19. Priya Agarwal-Harding, UCL 20. Flávia Melo, UCL 21. Janine Ensing, UCL 22. Gamze Şanlı, UCL 23. Nadia Noor, UCL 24. Dorothea Schoppek, UCL 25. Nick McKenzie, UCL 26. Sarfraz Khan Virk, UCL 27. Naba al-Nahi, UCL 28. Udit Bhatia, UCL 29. Sara Abed, UCL 30. Joe Fitzpatrick, UCL 31. Panayiota Tamazou, UCL 32. Nina Nilofar, UCL 33. Sally Prestt, UCL 34. Upjeet Kaur, UCL 35. Jessica Ford, UCL 36. Martina Tussi, UCL 37. Isobel Aiken, UCL 38. Ruth Mair, UCL 39. Siobhán Margolis, UCL 40. Elly Thomas, UCL 41. Ruth Jacob, UCL 42. James Ayre, UCL 43. Rachel Fox, UCL 44. Matt Waller, UCL 45. Rasha Sharkia, UCL 46. Harriet Douglas, UCL 47. Qadeer Abdilleh, UCL 48. Verde d'Aquino, UCL 49. Sabrina Pulcyn, UCL 50. S. Mark Edwards, UCL 51. Sarah Shin, UCL 52. Erica Murphy, UCL 53. Michael Wilkes, UCL To see the list of supporters, or to add your name , click here.  |
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