7th June 2013

A report evidencing how the UK Government’s austerity measures are impacting upon already unacceptable levels of gender inequality in the North East of England will be published today. The report shows that rising levels of female unemployment in the UK are hitting women in the North East much harder. And that public sector redundancies; together with elements of welfare reform are increasing women’s financial dependence on men. This is likely to have a detrimental impact upon children and lead to increases in family breakdown.

The findings of the report have already been presented to MPs, including Jo Swinson MP, Minister for Women and Equalities, as part of a wider study, Women’s equality in the UK: A health check which was launched at Portcullis House on 13th May 2013. North East MPs and policy makers have been invited a launch event today at the Raddison Hotel in Durham. Dr. Ruth Lewis, from University of Northumbria and editor of the report said:
 
“The impacts of the national austerity measures, together with long-term, ingrained inequality in the region mean that the prospects for women in the North East are likely to be bleak and urgently need addressing.”

Sue Robson, co-author of the report and co-ordinator of NEWomen’s Network, an organisation that works to sustain women’s organisations and services and champion women’s rights added:

“There is a looming crisis in gender inequality in the North East which will inevitably have devastating economic and social consequences; not just for women but for children, families and communities.”

The report is based upon evidence from a series of participatory local events involving 304 women and 154 different organisations. Many women’s organisations in the North East also provided data, information, case studies and research to evidence the impact of the austerity measures. Statistical sources of data in the TUC Women and the Cuts Toolkit were also researched.

The report shows that the need for women-only space is even greater during challenging times yet not enough is being done by public bodies to protect women-only services from the impact of austerity measures. Penny Remfry, a participant in the research and a trustee of a charity that provides support for women who have been raped or sexually abused says:

“Women’s organisations could prevent problems from happening or from escalating, thus saving the Government money and relieving the burden on public services. Yet these organisations are dealing with increased demand and diminishing resources and many in the North East are facing closure.”

Cris McCurley, senior family law practitioner and partner of Ben Hoare Bell LLP in the North East of England and member of NEWomen’s Network said:

“Cuts to Legal Aid mean that access to justice is severely restricted for this, and future generations who will be denied their human rights, and the ability to legally challenge those, including the Government who unlawfully removing those rights.”

Umme Imam, a member of NEWomen’s Network and Executive Director of the Angelou Centre and organisation that promotes equality, inclusion and economic independence for Black and Minority Ethnic women and children in the North East said

“We are  calling on the UK Government to take measures to redress the negative impact of the austerity measures upon women’s economic independence in the North East, such as increasing access to childcare (for under 2s), education and training through investing in the women’s organisations”

The report also recommends that public bodies in the North East should value and encourage women’s active citizenship, as well as ensuring women receive the services they need.

ENDS

For further information, case studies, requests for copies of the report or to arrange an interview with report or participants, please contact:

Sue Robson, Report Author, NEWomen’s Network- sue@newwomens.net or 07813 109 215

It was great to see so many women from the women’s sector and others at the launch of the CEDAW shadow report - Women’s equality in the UK: A health check - at Portcullis House last night.

Photo: Pete Riches (via Flickr)

Emily Thornberry MP was our host and opened the event speaking particularly about women’s rights in the criminal justice system in her role as Shadow Attorney General. We were very glad that Kate Green MP and Baroness Thornton from the Shadow Equalities Team could also join us.

Photo: Pete Riches (via Flickr)

We then heard from Sue Robson and Umme Imam from North East Women’s Network who highlighted the continuing crisis facing women in the North East which has only been exacerbated by Government austerity measures and policies. They told us about the findings of their North East case study which forms part of the shadow report and raised the issues around the lack of disaggregated data on women which means that it is even harder to find out about and meet local women’s needs. This point was reinforced by a delegate from Coventry Women’s Voices who are currently undertaking research on Black and minority ethnic women. 

Photos: Pete Riches (via Flickr)

Ruth Tweedale, Senior Legal Officer at Rights of Women, was the next speaker talking about the huge impact that the cuts to legal aid provision will have on women’s access to justice and particularly for women experiencing violence and employment discrimination. She confirmed that the Government have an obligation to provide this support under international legislation such as CEDAW and must not shy away from this responsibility.

Photo: Pete Riches (via Flickr)

During the discussion we heard about the shocking case of women in Middlesborough who are forced to sell their children to cope with poverty and have little recourse to support. This should not be happening in the UK!

Photo: Pete Riches (via Flickr)

Our next speaker was Dr Patricia Ng, Policy and Development Officer at Imkaan, who spoke about the vital need for specialist services for Black and minority ethnic women experiencing abuse and how violence against women and girls needs to be a key public health priority.

Photo: Pete Riches (via Flickr)

The final speaker from the women’s sector was Carolina Gottardo, Director of Latin American Women’s Rights Service, who highlighted the particular issues facing migrant, refugee and asylum seeking women who come to the UK. She also raised the Government’s obligations under CEDAW and the need for gender equality to be incorporated into the immigration process.

We were then joined by Jo Swinson MP, Minister for Women and Equalities, fresh off the train from Norwich! She assured us that the Government will be looking at the shadow report in the lead up to the United Nations examination in July and are always looking at ways to improve their work around gender equality. She raised the need to move away from a 1950s idea of the world where men are the breadwinners and women stay at home (something that the Government have been accused of reinforcing!) and said that they are trying to fill the gaps in provision. However, she also confirmed that the Government cannot just write cheques to solve all the problems that we have. She also urged the women’s sector to keep talking to the Women’s Ministers and making the case because this supported their voices too!

In response to questions she agreed that Local Authorities should be working with women’s groups to meet the needs of local women and would also welcome a list of potential UK CEDAW Committee candidates to be sent by the CEDAW Working Group.

Photo: Pete Riches (via Flickr)

Women’s Resource Centre Chief Executive, Vivienne Hayes, closed the event thanking all the speakers and attendees and highlighting some of the issues which they all raised such as the Government’s gender neutral approach to policy-making and that women’s services must be protected to ensure women’s equality gains. She also held up the CEDAW Working Group, who produced the shadow report coordinated by Women’s Resource Centre, as an example of the women’s sector across the UK working together to ensure that women’s rights are met and not lost.

Photo: Pete Riches (via Flickr)

To download a copy of the full report, executive summary or see any of the extensive appendices which provide further detailed information go to: http://thewomensresourcecentre.org.uk/our-work/cedaw/cedaw-shadow-report/