Women's Views on News |
| Message from Feminism in London Posted: 23 Jun 2016 02:09 PM PDT
For a number of years Feminism in London (FiL) has held a conference bringing together many women from all over the world to share their work; growing the movement and creating a space for us to gather, celebrate, raise our collective consciousness and plan for effective action. With no previous experience of doing so, a dedicated team of women pulled together to develop what became a two-day international event, and based on our hard work and success we gained charitable status at the end of 2015. We have made the decision to take a break from conference organising just for this year, allowing us to rest and recharge and to do the groundwork necessary to build our new organisation. The success of FiL has given us the opportunity to move beyond simply hosting the conference and enables us to participate in further reaching work. Our new organisation will be called FiLia, a word meaning 'daughter' and which is evocative of our intention to steadfastly continue the work of our foremothers to create a better world for our daughters. Thanks go to Alisa Lockwood for our new name which she used for the 2013 FiL art exhibition. Over the coming months we will be building the organisation, deciding what our strategy looks like and which projects we want to pursue as well as thinking about how we can be as effective as possible. And as part of this process, we are delighted to announce that Resist Porn Culture will become a part of FiLia. FiLia will: stand in sisterhood and solidarity with women and girls throughout the world in our collective struggle for economic, political and social liberation; contribute to growing and strengthening the Women's Liberation Movement; and work tirelessly and effectively to analyse, understand and dismantle patriarchy in all its forms everywhere. 'Failure is impossible' – the last words spoken in public by Susan B Anthony.  |
| Posted: 23 Jun 2016 01:02 PM PDT
Ensure all survivors of domestic abuse who live in refuges and other safe houses can register to vote and use their Human Right to “vote in elections and have a say in the choice of government” (European Convention of Human Rights, Protocol 1, Article 3). Why is this important? I have found it impossible to register to vote as I live in a Safe House in Bristol. I’m left without a vote, without a voice, without a say on local Councillor appointment, City Mayor, the Police Crime Commissioner position or whether we stay in or out of the EU. My struggle to register made me realise this is a huge issue that no one even realises. As I live in a safe house it is vital for my safety that my name and address do not appear on the electoral register. The current system does provide an ‘anonymous registration’ process designed to protect vulnerable or at risk people who can’t disclose their residential address. However this form requires evidenced approval through proven Court Injunction, written signature from a Police Superintendent or Adult Social Services management. For many in my situation, (estimated at 70 per cent of all residents in Bristol safe houses by support staff here) their registration would not be eligible for sign off. Taking away the civil right, human right that was fought so hard for back in 1918 that introduced the ‘Representation of the People Act’ allowing women the right to vote. Across England there are over 250 independent refuges providing safe emergency accommodation for people fleeing domestic abuse. Thousands of people living in secure residential accommodation where location secrecy is of utmost importance. Thousands of people who will not be able to register to vote. That is a huge number of women being denied basic Human Rights. The Human Rights Act (1998) states “it is unlawful for public authority to act in a way which is incompatible with European Convention right”. Safe houses and refuges by their very nature ensure all residents staying with them are in need of safety and security after leaving abuse. Therefore having management level able to sign the anonymous registration form is more than enough evidence for each residents need for anonymity. Such a simple solution for such an important change that needs to be made. Please sign and share this petition so we can no longer be kept in silence. Thank you.  |
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