Women's Views on News |
| Is the government taking sexism in schools seriously? Posted: 06 May 2016 12:59 PM PDT
A campaign aimed at 12–18 year olds has recently been launched by the government’s Home and Equalities Offices to educate school children about healthy relationships and respect. The rise of the internet and social media has had a dramatic effect on what sexual-related issues children and teenagers are exposed to, and has left them extremely vulnerable and pressurised. The new campaign, called Disrespect NoBody, covers sexting, relationship abuse, consent, porn and rape – all major issues for today's young people. Each section on the campaign’s website offers information, signs to spot, looks at consequences, and provides advice and real stories from people who have been affected by these issues. The campaign also has videos, television and radio advertisements, as well as a quiz and a poll to test people's knowledge of healthy relationships. A statement on Disrespect NoBody's website highlights two key issues that young people face today, which previous generations did not have to deal with: 'it's not ok for someone to try and pressure you into sending a nude pic, or to expect the same things to happen that they've seen in a porn film'. Shortly after the campaign was launched, it was announced that sexual harassment and violence in schools is to be the subject of an inquiry led by MPs for the first time. That announcement follows a Freedom of Information (FOI) request by the BBC last year which revealed that 5,500 incidents of sexual harassment, including 600 rapes, had been reported in UK schools over a three-year period. During preliminary research for the inquiry, to be undertaken by the Women and Equalities Committee, pupils spoke of 'lad culture', something which is also a big problem at universities. Girls also said that there is a pressure to have sex, or perform sexual acts, and that those who don't give in to this are bullied for being a virgin or 'frigid'. Name calling, including terms like 'slag', is a daily occurrence, and girls reported having their bras undone and their appearance and bodies commented on and mocked by male classmates. The research also suggested that this sort of behaviour has become so normal that it is not taken seriously enough by teachers, and young people are not offered the help and support they need. Laura Bates, founder of the Everyday Sexism Project, said that they "hear from girls who report this type of harassment or even unwanted touching to teachers, only to be told, 'boys will be boys', or 'he probably just likes you'." The DisrepectNoBody campaign and the Women and Equalities Committee’s inquiry are hugely necessary – and overdue – and should serve as vital tools in tackling the growing problems and pressures facing young people in schools. And it is reassuring to see the government investing in and supporting initiatives like these. But the government does appear to be sending out a confusing and contradictory message. In March, former teacher and current general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) Dr Mary Bousted spoke out about sexist bullying in schools, and about girls feeling under pressure to look attractive and to act compliant rather than being clever and confident. The Department for Education (DfE) responded to this – on Twitter – by claiming that these remarks are "why sexism still exists" and instead "we should be celebrating the achievements and talents of women and girls". But as Bates said in an article for The Guardian, "to imply that speaking out about these issues perpetuates sexism is downright bizarre", particularly coming from the Department of Education when the government has just launched an inquiry into sexual harassment and violence in schools. Bates also observed that "for the DfE to issue such an extreme response, and to seem to want to shut down discussion of the problem, is troubling and disappointing", and that "we are doing a disservice to those who are experiencing sexual bullying if we try to ignore or dismiss it". And then of course there is the government's decision not to make sex and relationships education (SRE) compulsory in all schools, something which can only be described as a gross failure to the children and teenagers of this country. It is perplexing that they chose not to implement mandatory personal, social, health and economic education (PSHE) and age-appropriate SRE in schools, which is a crucial and obvious way to discuss and combat the issues facing pupils, at the same that they launched the campaign and inquiry. While Disrespect NoBody and the inquiry into sexual harassment and violence in schools are clearly good ideas, the government’s stance on sex education and the Department of Education’s recent comments do undermine the cause. These issues are only going to get worse if direct and immediate action is not taken. But for this to happen, the government needs a consistent and vigorous strategy, with all political parties, unions, charities and associations uniting to commit to making the lives of young people safer and easier.  |
| Recognition for carers and domestic workers Posted: 06 May 2016 02:47 AM PDT
Domestic workers and carers, most of whom are migrant women, should be given an official status in the European Union, MEPs have agreed. Recognising their work as “real” jobs would discourage exploitation, forced labour and human trafficking, MEPs said in a resolution voted on last week. The resolution was approved by 279 votes to 105, but with 204 abstentions. MEPs recommended establishing easy-to-manage models for legal employer-worker relationships, citing examples from Belgium and France, to end precarious and undeclared domestic work. The 'service vouchers' scheme in Belgium and the 'universal service employment cheque' (CESU) in France are examples of successful models with positive impacts for the social and labour conditions of workers in this sector, and MEPs called on member states to consider these or other incentives to encourage the use of declared domestic workers. Domestic workers and carers should be included in all national labour, healthcare, social care and anti-discrimination laws and be enabled to join trade unions, says the text. And EU member states should ensure wider access to affordable quality care, e.g. for children or elderly, so as to reduce incentives to hire carers illegally, but also provide viable and legal career options for those domestic workers in social care services. MEPs called for a "professionalisation" of domestic work, to turn precarious and undeclared female work into recognised jobs, which would give domestic workers and carers social protection rights. They also urged the EU Commission to propose a framework for recognition of the status of non-professional carers, which offers them remuneration and social protection during the time they perform the care tasks. The majority of domestic workers and carers are migrant women, most of whom are in an irregular situation, says the text, which points out that by integrating them into the labour market their ‘social and cultural inclusion is facilitated’. This would also fight black-market labour, trafficking and the abuse of migrant women. Only adequate inspection methods and penalties can stop human trafficking and financial exploitation of domestic workers, the text continued. “Domestic workers and carers enable us to follow our careers, and enjoy our social lives," Women’s Rights and Gender Equality rapporteur Kostadinka Kuneva, MEP, said. "We entrust them with our homes, our children, our parents. "But they are invisible, undeclared, victims of insecurity and social exclusion.” Also, most are women, working long hours with no days off, without medical cover or pension plans. “Our ageing population and the fact that women are entering the labour market means that we have an ever greater need for them,” she pointed out. "Yet EU member states continue to allow them to work in the grey economy." Please contact your MEP and show your support for the idea that domestic workers and carers should be given an official status in the European Union. Thanks.  |
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