This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2013/may/13/government-cuts-reversing-gender-equality-gain

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Government cuts threaten gender equality gains, warns report Government cuts threaten gender equality gains, warns report
(5 months later)
Government cuts that disproportionately impact on women are in danger of reversing gains in gender equality, says a report published on Monday.Government cuts that disproportionately impact on women are in danger of reversing gains in gender equality, says a report published on Monday.
The report, produced by an umbrella organisation representing 42 women's and human rights groups, including Women's Aid and the Fawcett Society, claims some of the most vulnerable women in society – including single mothers, those who are disabled or from minority ethnic groups – are bearing the brunt of government policies.The report, produced by an umbrella organisation representing 42 women's and human rights groups, including Women's Aid and the Fawcett Society, claims some of the most vulnerable women in society – including single mothers, those who are disabled or from minority ethnic groups – are bearing the brunt of government policies.
All but the richest women are doing worse than they were in 2008, when the group produced its previous audit.All but the richest women are doing worse than they were in 2008, when the group produced its previous audit.
The latest polls suggest support for the Conservatives among women is 15 points behind Labour, while it is roughly neck and neck among men – -one reason given is that the coalition's austerity measures have cut public sector jobs and services that largely support women.The latest polls suggest support for the Conservatives among women is 15 points behind Labour, while it is roughly neck and neck among men – -one reason given is that the coalition's austerity measures have cut public sector jobs and services that largely support women.
Today's publication comes a week after David Cameron was expected to use the Queen's speech to reach out to women with measures such as a flat rate of pension for those who have spent chunks of their career out of paid employment.Today's publication comes a week after David Cameron was expected to use the Queen's speech to reach out to women with measures such as a flat rate of pension for those who have spent chunks of their career out of paid employment.
But the authors of the report Women's Equality in the UK – A health check warned that further spending cuts are expected to make things worse.But the authors of the report Women's Equality in the UK – A health check warned that further spending cuts are expected to make things worse.
"The government's policies have had a negative on many women through the loss of jobs, income and services. Additional measures announced will intensify those losses for all but the richest women and fail to understand the immediate substantive impacts on women's lives," they say."The government's policies have had a negative on many women through the loss of jobs, income and services. Additional measures announced will intensify those losses for all but the richest women and fail to understand the immediate substantive impacts on women's lives," they say.
Vivienne Hayes, chief executive of the Women's Resource Centre, which compiled the report, said: "Evidence in our report raises serious questions about the UK government's commitment to women's equality. Austerity is not an excuse for discrimination."Vivienne Hayes, chief executive of the Women's Resource Centre, which compiled the report, said: "Evidence in our report raises serious questions about the UK government's commitment to women's equality. Austerity is not an excuse for discrimination."
Campaigners have criticised the coalition's playing down of the issue and called for the return of equality impact assessments which aimed to make sure officials took account of disability, gender and race in their decisions. Cameron called the rules introduced by Labour "bureaucratic nonsense" when he scrapped them last year.Campaigners have criticised the coalition's playing down of the issue and called for the return of equality impact assessments which aimed to make sure officials took account of disability, gender and race in their decisions. Cameron called the rules introduced by Labour "bureaucratic nonsense" when he scrapped them last year.
The lengthy report, which gathers together substantial evidence on the issue, is to be put to the UN convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women (Cedaw) in Geneva this summer. "We see women's rights being lost at a greater pace in the UK," says Hayes. "Our only recourse is to shame the government on an international stage as we no longer have the voice and strength in this area that we once did."The lengthy report, which gathers together substantial evidence on the issue, is to be put to the UN convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women (Cedaw) in Geneva this summer. "We see women's rights being lost at a greater pace in the UK," says Hayes. "Our only recourse is to shame the government on an international stage as we no longer have the voice and strength in this area that we once did."
The UK is a signatory of Cedaw, which is the closest thing to an international charter for women's equality. The government's response to the convention, produced in February, stressed the UK's tough equality laws and its commitment to "tearing down the barriers to social mobility and ensuring equal opportunities for women in Britain, to build a fairer society". Monday's report suggests that these laws are having little impact on the ground: "The reality for women living in the UK is that there is incomplete realisation of these rights and serious attitudinal and behavioural barriers to substantive equality for all women."The UK is a signatory of Cedaw, which is the closest thing to an international charter for women's equality. The government's response to the convention, produced in February, stressed the UK's tough equality laws and its commitment to "tearing down the barriers to social mobility and ensuring equal opportunities for women in Britain, to build a fairer society". Monday's report suggests that these laws are having little impact on the ground: "The reality for women living in the UK is that there is incomplete realisation of these rights and serious attitudinal and behavioural barriers to substantive equality for all women."
The government is accused of lacking a co-ordinated approach to the issue, leaving the bulk of responsibility to the head of a small spending department, Maria Miller, who is culture secretary with responsibility for women and equalities.The government is accused of lacking a co-ordinated approach to the issue, leaving the bulk of responsibility to the head of a small spending department, Maria Miller, who is culture secretary with responsibility for women and equalities.
In a detailed report there are many recommendations, but points to seven key areas of concern:In a detailed report there are many recommendations, but points to seven key areas of concern:
• violence against women and girls, with a reduction in funding for women-only services• violence against women and girls, with a reduction in funding for women-only services
• cuts to legal aid for women suffering discrimination and violence• cuts to legal aid for women suffering discrimination and violence
• welfare reforms that are hurting the most vulnerable including single mothers• welfare reforms that are hurting the most vulnerable including single mothers
• inadequate healthcare support, for example disability allowance• inadequate healthcare support, for example disability allowance
• a lack of support and "recourse to public funds" for female refugees and women seeking asylu• a lack of support and "recourse to public funds" for female refugees and women seeking asylu
• discrimination in the workplace and equal pay• discrimination in the workplace and equal pay
• the under-representation of women in politics.• the under-representation of women in politics.
Ceri Goddard, chief executive of the Fawcett Society, believes legal changes from plans to further cut red tape and a review of the public sector equality duty – which requires all public bodies and government to consider equality when going about their daily business – "threaten a major row back on women's rights".Ceri Goddard, chief executive of the Fawcett Society, believes legal changes from plans to further cut red tape and a review of the public sector equality duty – which requires all public bodies and government to consider equality when going about their daily business – "threaten a major row back on women's rights".
"Women's equality is too often being presented as an obstacle and not a goal," she said."Women's equality is too often being presented as an obstacle and not a goal," she said.
Fawcett welcomed some government measures from an extension of the right to request flexible working to efforts to encourage more women on company boards.Fawcett welcomed some government measures from an extension of the right to request flexible working to efforts to encourage more women on company boards.
But even government action on female genital mutilation, which has been a central part of its commitment to end violence against women and girls, was condemned as "inadequate, piecemeal and fails to include clearly resourced targets on prevention, provision and prosecution".But even government action on female genital mutilation, which has been a central part of its commitment to end violence against women and girls, was condemned as "inadequate, piecemeal and fails to include clearly resourced targets on prevention, provision and prosecution".
One of the first casualties of the spending cuts was the Women's National Commission, which produced a similar report for Cedaw.One of the first casualties of the spending cuts was the Women's National Commission, which produced a similar report for Cedaw.
Those behind Monday's report also includes North East Women's Sector Network, Southall Black Sisters, Latin American Women's Rights Service, Rights of Women, National Alliance of Women's Organisations, Northern Ireland Women's European Platform, Equality Now, FORWARD, Rape Crisis (England and Wales), Sisters of Frida, Women in Prison, Asylum Aid, British Institute of Human Rights and Irish Traveller Movement in Britain.Those behind Monday's report also includes North East Women's Sector Network, Southall Black Sisters, Latin American Women's Rights Service, Rights of Women, National Alliance of Women's Organisations, Northern Ireland Women's European Platform, Equality Now, FORWARD, Rape Crisis (England and Wales), Sisters of Frida, Women in Prison, Asylum Aid, British Institute of Human Rights and Irish Traveller Movement in Britain.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.