Report on the Charter for Women Conference London 29th October 2011
The conference opened with a welcome from Mary Davis, Chair of the Charter for Women, explaining some of the ethos and philosophy of the Charter (available at http://www.charterforwomen.org.uk/ ).
This was followed by a presentation by Dr. Wendy Savage (available at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wendy_Savage ) who discussed the impacts of current Government cuts on women's health. Wendy recommended literature to read on this area: Birth and Power: Savage enquiry revisited (available at:http://www.rcog.org.uk/catalog/book/birth-and-power-savage-enquiry-revisited ) and The plot against the NHS (available at: http://pyjamasinbananas.blogspot.com/2011/04/read-plot-against-nhs.html), which rather nicely details the progressive and deliberate destruction of the NHS under New Labour and now the Tories. Wendy has lectured on these topics elsewhere: http://www.new-unity.org/wendysavage
This was followed by a presentation by Anita Wright of Lambeth TUC around Surestart / nurseries / child benefits, discussing how the Government cuts affect women. She stated funding was down 11% on average, allowing councils to choose which services to maintain and which to cut. She also touched on free schools and academies. She mentioned the 'adopt a peer' campaign (available at http://www.goingtowork.org.uk/peers/ ) and the Field report on tackling poverty (available at http://www.education.gov.uk/inthenews/inthenews/a0071184/government-sets-out-new-vision-for-ending-child-poverty ).
The audience of about 40 women were then invited to ask questions.
This was followed by a short presentation about post-16 education by Veronica Killen (UCU NEC member) who discussed the impact of Government cuts on access to education for women confirming they are being adversely impacted. Veronica discussed the plans for the education of health professionals (available at: http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Consultations/Liveconsultations/DH_122590 ) She stated that the UK spends 0.7% of GDP on post -16 education, much lower than other European governments. She recommended the video 'College Inc.' to help counter the marketisation of education and the UCU response to the HE white paper (available at: http://www.ucu.org.uk/media/pdf/s/t/ucu_hewhitepaper_briefing_Jul11.pdf ). Veronica also mentioned the funding protection that is only for STEM subjects, which do not traditionally appeal to large numbers of women.
This was followed by Gloria Mills from Unison, who discussed action women can and have taken, both in the unions and more generally. Gloria discussed the explicit effects that the cuts have had on women in terms of the percentage working in local government and other public sector organisations which have been adversely affected by funding cuts.
Next Pragna Patel from the Southall Black Sisters organisation spoke (available at: http://www.southallblacksisters.org.uk/ ). Pragna discussed the history of struggle, including legal challenges, in black women's equality. She also discussed the legal aid system being replaced with faith based systems of counselling, such as Sharia Law, which require women to remain in abusive relationships no matter what. She also discussed forced marriages and female genital mutilation. Pragna also explained how to demand that equality impact assessments must be carried out before changes occur in line with legal determinations. (Available at: http://www.dwp.gov.uk/publications/impact-assessments/equality-impact-assessments/ ).
Following lunch Marion Wilson spoke (NUT and Vice President of the National Pensions Convention,) (see http://www.cwu.org/assets/_files/documents/jan_11/cwu__1294415362_Link.pdf page 7) she discussed the impact of cuts on current and future women pensioners. Many women currently live on £53 per week when the Government defines poverty as £170 per week or less.
This was followed by Pat Barrett, a Unison member and Chair of the NPC Women’s Committee, who discussed care for the elderly. She recommended the video 'my gold plated pension' (available at: http://www.unison.org.uk/video/video.asp?did=13451 ) to be used to explain to union members and the public why industrial action is needed. She raised the Dilnot commission findings around paying for the cost of elderly care (available at: http://www.dilnotcommission.dh.gov.uk/files/2011/04/Response-to-the-Call-for-Evidence-for-Commissione.pdf ) which falls unfairly on women.
General audience questions and discussion followed.
Rachel Newton then spoke on the People's Charter (available at: http://www.thepeoplescharter.org/ ) explaining how equality for all would lead to equality for women.
Audience comments included an agreement to send a message of solidarity to the St. Paul's churchyard occupation, and to request branches to affiliate to The People's Charter.
The Chair, Mary Davis, then spoke, thanking delegates for attending and participating freely throughout the day. She requested that unions /branches affiliate to the Charter for Women which would help to raise the profile of the aims.
Sharon Allen, Secretary of the Charter for Women, closed the conference by reminding us that the Charter is designed to get activists in organisations to take action in pursuance of its aims. She said we should be feeling really angry at how the Government are treating us and that we should use that anger to promote positive action.
Julia Charlton, UCU Delegate
