According to the Telegraph
over half of Britons feel that "women's equality has gone too far", this is at the same time as World Bank reports that
the Global gender gap is far bigger than previously thought. Ok, it feels like there's still some work to be done.
Women in Solidarity
I want to say at this point that I know that, on the scale of things, pockets are not the most important issue facing women at the moment, but for my part, they are a thing I can help with, which is why I do it. For me, women can often be labelled under 2 stereotypes. The woman whose job it is be looked at, remaining pretty for the benefit of others (pockets spoiling 'the line'), and the carer who looks after everyone else ( a massive handbag). As a woman in my early 40s I have experienced both. Pockets mean an ability to carry your own personal stuff and only your own stuff. To exist as an independent, self reliant human being in your own right. It doesn't stop you carrying a bag if you want to, but it's not there as a default setting.
Since it is International Women’s Day, I wanted to highlight some fantastic campaign groups that are doing great work on on reducing inequality, that you may or may not have heard of:
- End Sexism in Schools campaigns for the introduction of more representation of women as authors and protagonists in books that are studied in school, particularly at GCSE and A-Level. You need to see it to be it.
- Make Space For Girls campaign for the development of public recreational spaces so that they are designed with girls in mind.
- Festival of the Girl is an initiative which aims to engage girls and adults with daughters to raise them in non stereotyped ways
- Pregnant Then Screwed campaigns to end "the motherhood penalty" on working women, supporting pregnant women and campaigning for affordable childcare.
- Go Title Free Why should anyone need to know your marital status when you just want to buy a book? Go Title Free campaigns against the widespread requirement of title information in everyday life.
Ok, until next time. Oh, and also Happy Mothers’ Day for Sunday if you celebrate it!
