Interesting article in the Guardian...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2013/may/13/government-cuts-reversing-gender-equality-gain

A Future that Works

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Calling for a future that works

Responsible department: Her Majesty's Treasury

We call on the government to recognise that austerity isn’t working and to develop an alternative that will provide decent jobs, rising prosperity for all and maintain high quality public services. People across the UK face the steepest fall in living standards in living memory, long term unemployment, job insecurity and huge cuts to public services. We note that policies being pursued by the government to cut back spending are making matters worse – prolonging the economic crisis, hurting consumer confidence and resulting in higher borrowing. As such we call for the government to adopt an alternative approach that prioritises investment, growth and decent jobs, as well as measures to boost wages for households on low to middle incomes who continue to see their living standards squeezed.


To sign the petition visit:
https://submissions.epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/40451

International Women’s Day 2013 - WEN Wales

International Women’s Day 2013

Around the world, International Women’s Day marks a celebration of the economic, social, cultural and political achievements of women. The growing international women’s movement has helped make International Women’s Day a special day for promoting women’s rights and participation in political and economic processes.  It is a time to reflect on the progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of women’s rights.
The Welsh Government is making funding available through the Women’s Equality Network Wales (WENWales) for events in celebration of International Women’s Day 2013.  Your organisation is invited to submit an application for funding from this grant.  The theme for International Women’s Day 2013 in Wales will be
” Visible Women: Empowering girls and women in Wales
For more information and application forms go to:

• International Women’s Day 2013
• IWD Project feedback sheet

To receive the application forms in Word format to complete please email admin@wenwales.org to express an interest in applying.

WRC Survey: Impact of the cuts on women’s voluntary and community organisations

WRC Survey: Impact of the cuts on women’s voluntary and community organisations

Support services for women are under threat from an unprecedented level of public spending cuts: a 2011 survey by Women’s Resource Centre found that 95% of women’s organisations were facing funding cuts or a funding crisis and 25% said that further cuts would result in closure.

WRC needs robust and current evidence to demonstrate the disproportionate impact of the cuts on women’s voluntary and community organisations and influence policy-makers. To do this we need your help!

This survey is part of a research project that aims to map the current state of the women’s sector. Its results will be published in a report that will highlight the impact of funding cuts on women’s organisations and the services available to women who need support.

By taking part, you will help the WRC to present the genuine social cost of the cuts to decision makers and put forward the recommendations that could benefit the women’s sector in the long term.

We also have a £50 Neal’s Yard Remedies voucher to give away to one lucky respondent! To complete the survey and to enter the prize draw, please visit http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/3CQGT7H . The survey will close on Sunday 18^th November.

For further details, please contact the WRC Policy Team on 020 7324 3030 or email policy@wrc.org.uk

http://afuturethatworks.org/why-we-are-marching/

A pregnant pause on maternity

(27/07/12) Pregnant women and new mothers are facing a tough time. What is UNISON doing about this?

Visit: http://www.unison.org.uk/activists/pages_view.asp?did=14568

WOMEN BEAR BRUNT OF ‘GROSSLY UNFAIR’ CUTS

·        Female unemployment hits 20 year high

·        Unemployment amongst women in Wales rises nearly twice as fast as figure for population as whole

TRADE unions in Wales have reacted angrily to the disproportionate impact unemployment is having on women in Wales. Stark statistics show that compared with last year, the number of unemployed people in Wales rose by 17.8% while the same figure for women stands at 34.4%.

The Wales TUC today labelled the development as ‘grossly unfair’ and a shameful indictment on the Coalition Government’s failing austerity agenda. As female unemployment has reaches a twenty year high, UNISON Cymru has also warned that women are set to keep losing out as the public sector faces yet more cuts.

Wales TUC General Secretary Martin Mansfield said:
“These figures are solid proof that the cuts are hitting women hardest.

“How can it be fair that unemployment has risen twice as much for women than society as a whole? It’s a shameful indictment on a UK Government that is happy watch decades of social progress roll back whilst sitting on its hands.

“This will lead to more poverty and inequality which is why unions are fighting for a 'future that works' with jobs and decent services for all”

Win Wearmouth, UNISON Cymru/Wales Deputy Convenor, said:

“We know that women are suffering disproportionately as a result of the recession and the attack on the welfare state from the UK Tory-led government.

“Women make up around 65% of the public sector workforce, so it is easy to see that women are at higher risk of losing their jobs when it comes to the reduction of the public services.

“Furthermore, the impacts of public service cuts are going to be felt more deeply by women. Women typically use more state services and benefits than men for a variety of reasons, including pregnancy and maternity needs, and the fact that women are more likely to be lone parents.

“We can see from the disproportionate rise of unemployed women in Wales that women are fast becoming the casualties of the recession.

“This is not to say that other people within our communities aren’t suffering too, but the reality is clear, women are bearing the brunt of the Westminster Government’s viscous austerity measures.

“I have very real concerns, on the behalf of women in all of our communities, that the clock is being turned back on women’s equality.”