Tag Archives: issues

Rosa Fund webinar – women influencing government

This webinar provides a rare opportunity to see behind the scenes of how corporate organisations communicate with and influence governments. As women’s organisations, we have a great deal to gain from being able to influence power holders, both for the women and girls we work with, and for gender equality more broadly.

Whether or not you already works with stakeholders in government and policy makers, this webinar will help you identify who they are, work out how best to contact them and most importantly, how to influence them.

The webinar will be delivered by Laura Gilmore, Director of Government Relations at Cummins, one of Rosa’s corporate supporters.

 

January 29, 2019

Women and the General Election 2015 survey summary

Here is a quick summary of the responses to womensgrid’s survey Women and the General Election 2015 that closed on 5 May 2015.

Thank you to all who took part and we hope you and others will find the results interesting and add to exchange and discussion between feminists and women’s issue activists.

Women’s issues – a women’s vote?

Nearly everyone agreed with the list of issues we put forward as being important, with equal pay and violence against women being the most significant.

Nearly everyone agreed that changing social attitudes was what was most needed to stop discrimination against women, followed by participating in political parties.

However only 30% though an independent women’s party was a solution.

The majority of those who responded are part of a women’s group both online and in person, although more volunteered in person than online.

“ The key thing for me is to increase the number of women taking an active part in democracy – from discussing politics with friends all the way through the process to being in a parliament. And this requires so much to be in place – local women’s groups were issues can be discussed, peer support, good child care, a media that doesn’t disparage, well organised meetings (ie short ones) at sensible times – the list could go on and on. We need to chip away at all these things. “

Comparing personal and social issues to 5 years ago.

Comparing personal circumstances to those of 5 years ago, in terms of housing, employment and health around 50% said they were the same.

But in terms of income and hope for the future more thought these were worse.

Comparing social needs to those of 5 years ago most thought NHS, employment and equality were worse, and that housing and welfare were far worse.

“ I think the influence of the women’s sector in government and making policy based change has got worse, not because of the will of women’s groups and activist networks but because the coalition government hasn’t been open to engagement and have just been on a one way mission to attain their goals. Also the cuts have meant women’s organisations have had less capacity to do lobbying based work “

Influence of women’s activism and feminism compared to 5 years ago

In terms of lobbying both central and local government, influencing old media and schools around 50% thought this was the same.

However 51% though influencing social media was better, but securing funds for women’s services was worse.

More than 50% thought that people only know what the media tells them about feminism and that they are alienated from feminism by media misrepresentation, and that people had little idea about the work of feminist activists.

Whilst it’s been wonderful to watch the movement blossom and to see people proudly proclaiming themselves to be feminists, this hasn’t been matched by a deepening of understanding.  I am slightly suspicious that feminism being used as a fashion statement, and I am concerned that another backlash is building.  Within the movement itself, as it’s grown I feel there’s been an unhelpful focus on labels and division.  Intersectionality is wonderful, but some disingenuous folk can use it as a tool to divide rather than unite.

Voting intentions

95% said they intended to vote, with 40% saying they would vote for Labour, 24% for the SNP and 21% for the Green Party.

63% said their vote would be for their preferred party and 17% said it would be a tactical vote. 61% said the tv leaders’ debate did not influence them.

Very disappointed with labour, but will vote for them to keep the Tories out. Would have voted for the Green party if only they changed their policy on prostitution.

About those who took the survey

98% said their sex was female, with 92% saying their gender identity was female.

The age range of those who took part was from 18 to 85, with the majority being spread evenly from 26 to 55.

76% said they were heterosexual with 81% saying they were white.

20% of those who took part were from London and 26% from Scotland.

Unfortunately no one from Northern Ireland took part and only 2% from Wales, with the rest being from the different English regions.

44% said they had a long term illness, and 38% were disabled with a further 13% were registered disabled.

Download the full summary of results from http://www.womensgrid.org.uk/groups/?p=3190

May 6, 2015