News & Campaigns

All the latest from HER-itage and our affiliates

20 June 2015 12:00 – Women’s Bloc – End Austerity Now demonstration – London

(*) The Bank of England, Threadneedle Street, London EC2R 8AH

Woman and children only.

Austerity has disproportionately affected women.
– 79% of the deficit has been repaid by women due to public service cuts
– 44% of UK women have experienced sexual and/or domestic violence, and disabled women are twice as likely to face domestic violence
– 95% of services supporting these women have experienced cuts (rising to 100% for BME women’s organisations)
– 1 in 5 mothers are missing meals to feed their children after receiving cuts to child benefit
(stats via http://www.wrc.org.uk/)

Check for updates and meeting point at https://www.facebook.com/events/1542366316019498/

(*) The People’s Assembly is organising a major national demonstration to tell the new government: END AUSTERITY NOW

Assemble: 12pm, Saturday 20 June
Bank of England (Queen Victoria Street)
London (Tube: Bank)

Coaches to London listed at http://www.thepeoplesassembly.org.uk/end_austerity_now_transport

See also:

May 29, 2015

Feminism, politics, hopes for the future, finding a women’s group …

Comments added to the survey Women and the General Election

womensgrid published a summary of the results of our survey Women and the General Election 2015 at http://www.womensgrid.org.uk/groups/?p=3190

All the answers received to each question are available to download as a word document from Women and the General Election 2015 – Summary.

We also provided space at the end of each section for comments on each set of issues.

We had an extraordinary number of comments added, representing a diversity of views and experience, ideas and opinions.

We have reproduced the comments in full because we hope those active in feminism and women’s issues will appreciate the opportunity to read about the range of opinions from those interested in women’s issues.

Because of the number of comments we have reproduced those from each section as a separate document. Each document is then roughly divided up under headings, and the comments bullet pointed. They may appear a bit long, but probably no more than a long comment thread on facebook!

We hope you will want to read and share the comments, and maybe discuss them in your group or network (or on facebook*):

(*) And dont forget you can join the discussion at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Women-and-the-General-Election-2015/498949196923393

May 27, 2015

15 June 2015 12:30 ~ Introducing Feminist Dissent: A Journal on Gender and Fundamentalism – Feminist Dissent – Warwick

Feminist Dissent is a new academic journal. It brings together activists, academics and writers to interrogate the multiple connections between religious fundamentalism and gender. 

It will open up new ways of thinking about secularism, religious freedom, civil liberties and human rights, nationalism and identity politics, anti-racism and multiculturalism, neo-liberalism, feminist theory and feminist resistance.

At this event, members of the editorial collective will present the thinking behind the new journal.
– Why feminist dissent? (Rashmi Varma)
– Why universal human rights? (Alison Assiter)
– Why fundamentalism? (Gita Sahgal)

Presentations will be followed by questions, comments and discussion.

Date: Monday 15th June 2015
Time: 12.30pm – 3pm (lunch and refreshments will be provided)
Venue: IALS seminar room (F204), Milburn House, University of Warwick

Rashmi Varma teaches in the Department of English and Comparative Literary Studies at the University of Warwick.

Alison Assiter is Professor of Feminist Theory at UWE, Bristol, the author of a number of books and articles and also feminist and anti fundamentalist activist.

Gita Sahgal is a founder of the Centre for Secular Space, which opposes fundamentalism, amplifies secular voices and promotes universality in human rights.

Free – but register online http://www.eventbrite.com/e/introducing-feminist-dissent-a-journal-on-gender-and-fundamentalism-tickets-17056464344

May 26, 2015

Spring Newsletter 2015 – Central America Women’s Network

Welcome to yet another edition of CAWN’s Newsletter in which we provide you with updates on our activities, a round-up of news from the region and information about some recent books, articles and videos available on issues relating to women’s issues in the Central America region.

In the Newsletter, you will find some Calls to Action relating to various causes, such as the Global Day of Action for Women’s Health on May 28th.

We report on the developments in the  campaign to free the 17 Salvadorean Women – Las 17 – facing long prison sentences (up to 30 years) for alleged abortion attempts after having miscarried.  Two women jailed after having obstetric complications have been freed, but, despite this success, the pressure must be kept up and your ongoing support for the campaign is called upon.

You can find out more about this and other news  and stories in our Spring newsletter

May 26, 2015

Stepping up? Investing in women in post-recession UK – Report from Rosa

Rosa and Aviva held a joint event to celebrate good practice in the corporate sector and highlight the need for further funding for women’s organisations from the evidence contained within the report ‘Stepping up?’ The event was also an opportunity to showcase the Rosa/Aviva Women’s Network grants programme.

During the event, Aviva presented a grant of £7,500 to Beyond The Classroom , an outstanding charity working with young girls in the London Borough of Lambeth. Since the event, Aviva has also awarded grants to six further fantastic charities; New Routes, Sweet Arts and Prowess based in Norwich; and Kyra Women’s Project, Independent Domestic Abuse Services and Survive in York.

The evening was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate Rosa’s unique work on behalf of women and girls across the UK and Aviva’s Corporate Social Responsibility programme.

Sandi Toksvig OBE, Rosa’s Ambassador, gave a witty and inspiring speech to the guests stressing the need for funding to help girls and young women in this country reach their potential.

Belinda Pratten, author of the report, highlighted the need for long-term investment in women’s organisations, stressing that every pound spent in the women’s sector can give up to a six-fold return.

Sherine Mahmoud, Rosa’s trustee pointed out the significant gap that Rosa fills as the only UK fund for Women and Girls and encouraged the audience to respond to her call to action.

We were very happy to see several people showing interest in our Development Board to raise funds for Rosa’s grant programmes.

We were delighted by the great enthusiasm shown for Rosa’s work supporting women and girls across the UK.

We would like to thank Aviva, Sandi Toksvig, Belinda Pratten and everyone who attended.

Please download ‘Stepping up? Investing in women in post-recession UK’

Source http://www.rosauk.org/launch-of-rosa-s-report-stepping-up-investing-in-women-in-post-recession

May 26, 2015