Women's Views on News |
- Explosive weapons: their impact on women
- Job loss fears for new mothers
- Football uniting against domestic violence
| Explosive weapons: their impact on women Posted: 12 Jun 2014 06:34 AM PDT
Concern with the use of explosive weapons in populated areas has increased over the last few years, given the harm they are increasingly causing to civilians and the wider community. However, the debate has so far not sufficiently highlighted the specific impact that explosive weapons have on women. A new report by Reaching Critical Will seeks to draw attention to some of the - unique - impacts on women that explosive weapons have when used in populated areas. It argues that it is important to ensure that women affected by the use of explosive weapons receive the same assistance and legal protection as men, and that they are seen as active agents of change rather than only as victims. The report is part of Reaching Critical Will's attempt to highlight the impact of weapons on women and the importance of strengthening a gender perspective in disarmament and arms control in order to ensure inclusive security and prevent all human suffering. The widespread availability of weapons has been a main concern for the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) since its origin in 1915. Through its disarmament programme Reaching Critical Will (RCW), WILPF has, since 2006, actively been working towards a strong international Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) with an extra focus on prohibiting a weapons transfer when there is a risk for them to be used to conduct gender based violence. And on 2 April 2013 the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted an ATT which prohibits the sale of arms if there is a risk that the weapons could be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international humanitarian or human rights law. The treaty was the first ever treaty that recognised the link between gender-based violence and the international arms trade adopted with the result 154-3-23 (yes-no-abstain). This new report briefly describes explosive weapons and the legal tools available to assess their use, focusing in particular on legal documents that support greater inclusion of gender analysis and women's participation. The second part gives an overview on how explosive weapons specifically affect women and why a gendered analysis of the impact of explosive weapons use in populated areas is needed. To download the full report, click here.  |
| Job loss fears for new mothers Posted: 12 Jun 2014 04:10 AM PDT
Almost half of women (43 per cent) will return to work sooner than they would like after having a baby, according to a new report by the National Childbirth Trust (NCT). Of those, 47 per cent said this is due to concerns over job security, despite laws designed to ensure new mothers are not discriminated against regarding their return to work. Women are entitled to up to 12 months maternity leave, three months of which are unpaid. And much of the rest is paid at the paltry sum of £138.18 a week, meaning many women have to rely on their partner’s income in order to be able to take time off to care for their newborn. Belinda Phipps, CEO of the Trust, said: "This report shows women are returning to work earlier than they would like to because of money worries or fears about job security. "It also suggests that if the government wants parents to make use of shared parental leave they will need to increase dads' paternity pay. "It is high time we saw maternity and paternity pay raised – at least in line with the minimum wage – so that parents have greater choice about when to go back to work." From April 2015, both parents will be able to share 12 months of paternity leave. However the gender pay gap, which grew last year to 15.7 per cent for full-time employees, means women will still most likely be the ones who stay at home. According to the NCT’s survey, 37 per cent of women would not even consider sharing parental leave and half of those said it was because they needed their partner’s income. Over a third said that they felt it was their responsibility as a mother to stay at home and look after their children – a figure which I find quite encouraging, as almost two-thirds hopefully view bringing up children as a shared responsibility. Worryingly, around four per cent of those surveyed said they took less than the legal minimum of two weeks’ leave after having their baby. The shadow minister for Women and Equalities, Gloria De Piero, told the Independent: "When families across Britain are struggling with the rising cost of living, it's particularly worrying that new mums have the added strain of fear of redundancy. "There are many great employers leading the way in supporting mums and dads staying and getting on in work, but there's a role for government, too, to spread that best practice and end discrimination. "In government, Labour introduced the laws protecting women from being sacked on maternity leave and there is room to do more." Greater flexibility from employers appears to be the number one solution for many mothers whose economic situation means they have no option but for both parents to work, but almost two-thirds of new mothers were unaware that they were able to request flexible working from their employers. Around 70 per cent of women said they would prefer flexible working over more parental leave as a way to spend more time with their children but 29 per cent said they would be worried about job security if they took advantage of flexible working. Flexible working may be part of the answer, but only if it is available to both mothers and fathers; until men and women can equally share the responsibility of bringing up children, and that includes paternity leave as well as all those days spent caring for poorly kids or late mornings and early afternoons to coincide with the school run, women of child-bearing age will still be discriminated against by some employers.  |
| Football uniting against domestic violence Posted: 12 Jun 2014 01:09 AM PDT Join Football United and help relegate domestic violence. For good. Football United Against Domestic Violence is a new campaign by Women's Aid, supported by the Premier League and BT Sport, which, working with national footballing bodies, sports media, football clubs, the police, players and fans, is to send a clear message that domestic violence is always unacceptable. The aim is to call out sexist behaviour that can underpin violence towards women and girls. Women's Aid is asking the footballing community to make a positive difference now to raise awareness and reduce the amount of domestic violence in the future. The campaign involves working with football clubs, organisations, players and fans to help raise awareness of domestic violence and the sexist attitudes that underpin abuse against women. You can get involved by signing the Football United Pledge, and stand proudly with Football United Against Domestic Violence to speak out: Against all forms of domestic violence; Against sexist attitudes towards women and girls; For healthy relationships for young people; and For positive role models in the footballing community. Fans can sign the Supporters Pledge and download posters to show the world you are standing up against domestic violence. Clubs are being asked to sign the Club Pledge to show you are backing the campaign and to get in touch so they can work together with Women's Aid to end domestic violence. And anyone who feels like it can text GOAL to 70500 to donate £5. The text donation costs £5 plus one text message at your standard network rate. 100 per cent of the donation will go to Women's Aid. Among those supporting this campaign is footballer David Ginola, who said:”It is shocking that domestic violence affects 1 in 4 women at some point in their life, and all the more so that there is a rise in reporting following high profile football matches. "Clubs, managers, players and supporters can all make a difference by raising awareness and talking about a serious issue.” Another supporter is Alex Horne, General Secretary of the Football Association (FA). He said: “At The FA we know what enormous power the footballing community has to make positive change and we welcome this important campaign. “We are keen to promote social change through football and our new Inclusion Advisory Board already supports well known campaigns such as Kick It Out and Football v Homophobia; we are proud to now add Football United Against Domestic Violence to that list. “Domestic violence affects all of our society, and football, especially as the World Cup approaches, has the potential to reach a huge proportion of the public. “We can all make a difference by signing up to the Football United Against Domestic Violence campaign – clubs, fans and players – to bring domestic violence out from behind closed doors.” And Charlie Webster, ambassador for Women's Aid and Football United Against Domestic Violence said: “I have one goal… to try and stop all forms of abuse, and this new initiative from Women’s Aid is vital in helping promote positive relationships and stamping out domestic violence.” For, as Max Rushden, Soccer AM presenter and Football United Ambassador, pointed out, "It’s not complicated, just don’t abuse anyone – physically or emotionally. “And if you know it’s going on, say something.” Or as Tom Aikens, Michelin starred chef put it: “As a football fan who is looking forward to watching England in the World Cup I welcome this campaign from Women's Aid to unite clubs, supporters and the wider football community in working to end domestic violence. "It is important for us all to stand together and send a clear message that violence against women and girls is always unacceptable.”  |
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