Category Archives: Opinion Comment

The Solicitor’s Regulatory Authority withdraws its endorsement of the Law Society’s discriminatory practice note on Sharia wills – Southall Black Sisters

Southall Black Sisters (SBS) and One Law for All welcomes the decision by the Solicitor’s Regulatory Authority (SRA), the regulatory body for solicitors, to remove the Law Society’s controversial practice note1 on drafting ‘Sharia compliant’ wills2 from its ethics guidance on wills. The decision clearly demonstrates that the SRA considers it inappropriate to continue to endorse the note.

The SRA decision comes after threatened legal action on gender equality grounds and represents an important step in our campaign against the Law Society. On 13 March 2014, the Law Society issued a practice note for solicitors on drafting ‘Sharia’ compliant wills. The note, which was drafted with reference to conservative if not fundamentalist Muslim ‘experts’3 but not minority women’s organisations, said:

“… illegitimate and adopted children are not Sharia heirs…The male heirs in most cases receive double the amount inherited by a female heir… Non-Muslims may not inherit at all…a divorced spouse is no longer a Sharia heir…”

This appalling institutional endorsement of direct gender and other forms of discrimination has been the subject of threatened legal action against the Law Society itself. We have demanded that the Law Society withdraw its guidance but it has resolutely refused to do so. In an extraordinary show of defiance, in a letter dated 4 June 1014, the Law Society stated that it had no intention of withdrawing the practice note and that ‘no equality and diversity implications’ arose from the note. Since receiving the SRA’s decision we have now written to the Law Society again demanding a reconsideration of their position. We are also taking further legal advice on the question of whether solicitors acting on the practice note might be themselves acting unlawfully.
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Notes.

Read the full press release at http://www.southallblacksisters.org.uk/solicitors-regulatory-authority-withdraws-endorsement-law-societys-discriminatory-practice-note-sharia-wills/

July 15, 2014

New expert briefing published calling on decision makers to tackle the sexualisation of public space – EVAW

Women’s groups responded to the announcement by the Labour Party that if elected next year a Labour Government will include a new Violence Against Women & Girls (VAWG) Bill in the first Queens Speech which will:

  • appoint a powerful new Women’s Safety Commissioner
  • make the teaching of Sex & Relationships compulsory in all schools specifically to tackle abuse of women and girls
  • set targets for police and other agencies’ performance in responding to VAWG
  • include stronger measures on the prevention of abuse.

End Violence Against Women Coalition Co-Director Holly Dustin said:

 “It is extremely good news that Labour is promising to put women’s safety and equality at the heart of its agenda if elected next year. In recent days we have seen the conviction of Rolf Harris for a series of sexual assaults, and the publication and widespread sharing of videos showing exploitation and coercion of girls in a bar in Magaluf.

“It is particularly welcome that Labour will make Sex and Relationships Education compulsory, specifically to tackle the attitudes and behaviours of boys and men. This must be part of a broader programme of work to prevent abuse, including consistently tackling harmful images across the media.

“The new Bill must include a new law to ensure that survivors of sexual, domestic and other violence have access to specialist support from refuges, rape crisis centres and other women’s services in their community, as required by new EU law.

“It must also include a requirement on governments at national and local levels to work with experts to develop Violence Against Women and Girls Action Plans, as already happens in some areas.”

Women’s groups point to the high cost of violence against women and girls to local communities and the national purse – the Government says the annual cost is around £40 billion a year – and to polls that show voters want action on women’s safety (1).

EVAW Co-Director Liz McKean adds:

 “This is about protecting the most basic rights of girls and women: the right to be able to go to school and to be safe; the right to be able to go to university or to work, or indeed any public space and not face harassment, name-calling and abuse from men; the right to specialist support and to justice if you have suffered violence. It is a critical issue for government, as it is a critical issue for all of us.

“The UK has very clear international obligations to tackle these issues, the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women and Girls expressed real concern just a few months ago that not enough is being done in the UK. Calls for stronger action on prevention are particularly welcome, as this is a key area that has lacked vision and investment, and yet is a vital part of any strategy to end violence against women and girls.

“We look forward to the debate on this proposal, and to seeing other parties match these commitments as we approach the 2015 General Election.”

The EVAW Coalition welcomed the new Labour policy as it launched its own new expert briefing on sexualisation by leading academic in the field Dr Maddy Coy (2).

The briefing, ‘Sexualised Sexism: Popular Culture, Sexualisation and Violence Against Women and Girls’ recognises the changing debate around the ever increasing sexualisation of commerce, public space and the media.

It criticises the tendency for politicians and policy makers in recent years to problematize these issues only in terms of their impacts on children and young people, and looks at the harm done to women and to gender equality by the unchecked proliferation of pornography.

Dr Coy said:

 “What we talk about as sexualisation in public space is sexualised sexism, and if we are serious about ending violence against women and girls we must tackle these sexist representations of women’s bodies we see around us – and their messages about how men are supposed to respond to women’s bodies.

“Preventing violence against women and girls through changing attitudes and perceptions is not just about young people, although this is a vital step. Public policy also has a role in tackling sexualised sexism in popular culture as an issue of women’s equality, and so shifting the attitudes and behaviours of men and boys of all ages.”

Notes

  1. YouGov poll for EVAW Coalition, April 2013 http://www.endviolenceagainstwomen.org.uk/news/89/local-elections-2-may-most-uk-adults-want-their-local-council-to-fund-domestic-and-sexual-violence-s
  2. Dr Maddy Coy is a recognised international expert on sexualisation and on VAWG based at London Metropolitan University http://www.cwasu.org/page_display.asp?pageid=ABOUT&pagekey=151&itemkey=157

Press Release at http://www.endviolenceagainstwomen.org.uk/news/159/labour-to-put-womens-safety-at-heart-of-its-agenda-evaw-responds

July 15, 2014

Threats to withdraw the Maternity Leave Directive: Measures to protect women’s rights are not red tape – European Women’s Lobby

The European Women’s Lobby cries scandal as the rhetoric on women’s rights and gender equality takes a blow

The European Women’s Lobby (EWL), has learned with dismay about the European Commission’s proposal to withdraw the proposed Maternity Leave Directive, as a gesture of ‘legislative management’ before the new Commission is installed. “This is a classic example of the backlash against women’s rights and gender equality in Europe. It sends a very bad signal to women and men in Europe about how much the EU can do to support real people’s rights and lives.” says Joanna Maycock, EWL Secretary General.

The proposed Maternity Leave Directive was adopted democratically by a large majority of the European Parliament in its first reading on 20 October 2010. It has nonetheless been blocked by Member State governments (Council) for over three years. The proposal provides a number of forward-looking measures including 20 weeks fully paid maternity leave, strengthened measures to protect women from dismissal on return and two weeks fully paid paternity leave also available to same sex couples (see note to editors).

“The threat to remove the Maternity Leave Directive from the legislative process is serious and undermines the democratic process of the European Parliament’s adopted position. This negates Europe’s rhetoric on its commitment to gender equality and effective work-life balance for women and men in Europe”, states Joanna Maycock.

Women continue to earn 16% on average less than men and it is often at the moment of childbirth that the gender pay gap kicks in, with life- long often irreversible consequences, including the fact that women recieve on average 40% less pension than men. Despite existing laws that protect pregnant workers, we know that more and more women today are experiencing discrimination in the work place as a direct result of pregnancy and/or birth. This is why it is urgent to strengthen the rights and protection of women during pregnancy and on return to work. “It is unacceptable that measures to protect women’s rights are part of a trade-off to cut red tape: women’s rights are NOT red tape.” states Ms Maycock.

In an Open Letter to the newly designated President of the European Commission, the EWL calls on Mr Juncker to reject this proposal to withdraw the Maternity Leave Directive, immediately reinstate the proposal and to give his full commitment to reaching a decision with the Council. We expect the newly elected European Parliament will react strongly against this proposal and will work with the Italian Presidency towards achieving a favourable conclusion.

ENDS —————–

Notes to Editors:

For Media Enquiries – contact Elvira Buijink – buijink@womenlobby.org, +32 2/210 04 40

The European Women’s Lobby (EWL)

The EWL is the largest umbrella organisation of women’s associations in the European Union working to promote women’s rights and equality between women and men. EWL membership extends to organisations in all 28 EU member states and three candidate countries, as well as to 21 European-wide bodies, representing a total of more than 2000 organisations. www.womenlobby.org

The Maternity leave Directive:

The proposed Maternity Leave Directive, adopted democratically by a large majority of the European Parliament in first reading on 20 October 2010, has been blocked by Member State governments (Council) for over three years despite ongoing attempts to find a negotiated position and subsequent decision which never materialised.

The proposed Maternity Leave Directive is an all-encompassing set of proposals to strengthen the rights of pregnant workers and women returning to work following childbirth and/or who are breastfeeding. These include, up to 20 weeks fully paid leave, a mandatory six-week rest period before or after birth whenever they choose, extension of the same rights to domestic workers and adoptive mothers, specific measures for multiple births and disabilities, protection from dismissal for six months, protection from imposed night shifts and overtime and flexibility for breastfeeding mothers.

In addition, a two-week fully paid paternity leave provision is included in the European Parliament’s adopted position, which bridges the gap in relation to paternity leave (also available to same sex couples) as there is no European Directive on this form of leave. It should also be noted that a passerelle clause is included for countries where a strong parental leave framework is in place, which means that the reality of the situation in different countries is taken into account and that women who are pregnant, have given birth and/or who are breastfeeding have the same rights throughout the European Union.

See EWL Maternity Leave Campaign

Press Release at http://www.womenlobby.org/news/ewl-news/article/threats-to-withdraw-the-maternity?lang=en

July 7, 2014

CPS announces progress in tackling domestic violence at Women’s Aid Conference – Women’s Aid

Director of Public Prosecutions Alison Saunders is due to announce major progress for the CPS in working with domestic violence cases at the opening of the Women’s Aid National 40th Birthday Conference today [Wednesday 2 July]. Women’s Aid will be welcoming the CPS success, while also warning that more positive action must be taken both locally and nationally by all relevant agencies if the country is to be prepared to meet the needs of women experiencing domestic violence.

The Women’s Aid annual National Conference is the only opportunity for domestic violence professionals to come together with the police, NHS, and social care to discuss the enormous challenges facing women and children experiencing domestic violence and the services that support them. Delegates will be considering the future needs of domestic violence survivors and how these can be met in a rapidly changing environment with increasingly limited resources.

Women’s Aid is highlighting that:

    • Two women every week are killed by a partner or ex-partner [1], and a third of all female suicide attempts can be attributed to domestic violence [2]
    • The police receive an emergency call relating to domestic violence every 30 seconds [3]
    • Nearly half (48%) of domestic violence support providers are providing some services without dedicated funding [4]
    • Nearly a third (30%) of services receiving local authority funding expected less funding this year than last – the second year in a row such cuts have been seen [5]
    • In one day last year, more than 155 women with 103 children were turned away from the first refuge they approached [6]

Polly Neate, Chief Executive of Women’s Aid said:

“The Women’s Aid National Conference is the only opportunity for all professionals working on domestic violence to come together and prepare jointly for the future. We must take action now if we are to be ready for the challenges of significantly smaller budgets, and increasingly technologically sophisticated abuse. The need to tackle domestic violence is well-recognised: Women’s Aid will be leading this conference to develop strategy to eliminate violence under difficult circumstances for our members and statutory services.”

Alison Saunders, Director of Public Prosecutions, said:

“Domestic violence destroys lives and in the past the criminal justice system let down the victims of these terrible crimes. For example, just over a decade ago, less than half the domestic violence cases that we prosecuted ended in convictions. We have worked hard to change that – we trained specialist prosecutors and now build stronger cases and provide a better service to victims – and we are seeing results.

“Most recently we revised our guidance for prosecutors to highlight the potential impact of domestic abuse on victims from all walks of life, at different stages in their lives, to make sure we offer them all the support they need. We are currently consulting on this guidance and would welcome any views by July 9.”

Thursday’s programme concludes the two-day conference with events for Women’s Aid members only. The programme includes a session for survivors and services to question representatives of the Criminal Justice System, including HMIC for domestic violence Zoe Billingham, on their performance in responding to domestic violence.
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Notes:

    [1] Office of National Statistics (February 2014) Focus on Violent Crime and Sexual Offences, 2012/13 Release.
    [2] Stark, E. & Flitcraft, A, Women at risk: Domestic violence and women’s health Sage Publications, 1996
    [3] HMIC (March 2014) Improving the police response to domestic abuse
    [4] Women’s Aid Women’s Aid Annual Survey, Survey 1, 2013
    [5] ibid
    [6] ibid

July 2, 2014

Rolf Harris conviction: Shows why past abuse cases must be prosecuted – EVAW

Rolf Harris convictions – past abuse cases must be prosecuted and survivors supported

The convictions of children’s entertainer Rolf Harris for 12 counts of indecent assault show that the CPS must continue to bring prosecutions of past sexual abuse cases, say women’s groups. Harris’ assaults, dating back to 1968, were perpetrated on girls as young as 7 or 8 and involved manipulation, ‘grooming’ and abuse over two decades.

Harris, like Jimmy Savile, Stuart Hall, Max Clifford as well as many ordinary men not in the public eye, used his power and status and the vulnerability of his victims to carry out his assaults.

Holly Dustin, Co-Director of the End Violence Against Women Coalition, said;

“We pay tribute to Rolf Harris’ survivors for going through what must have been a very distressing trial, and to the jury for their long and thoughtful deliberations.

“85,000 women are raped in England and Wales each year, and 400,000 sexually assaulted with many thousands of survivors living with the legacy of past abuse. This case shows that it is essential that the police and CPS continue to investigate and prosecute sexual abuse, whether current or in the past, and whether or not the defendant is a celebrity.

“Perhaps most important of all is for Politicians to commit to investing in local women’s support services such as Rape Crisis Centres, so that survivors of sexual abuse have support in their community no matter how long ago the abuse happened and whether or not they wish to report to the police.”

Press Release at http://www.endviolenceagainstwomen.org.uk/news/156/rolf-harris-conviction-shows-why-past-abuse-cases-must-be-prosecuted

July 1, 2014