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UN representative says UK has 'sexist culture' UN Special Rapporteur Rashida Manjoo says UK has 'sexist culture'
(about 1 hour later)
The UK has a "boys' club sexist culture", the UN's spokeswoman on violence against women has said. The UK has a "boys' club sexist culture", a UN investigator looking at violence against women has said.
Rashida Manjoo is on a visit to the UK, studying its approach to the issue.Rashida Manjoo is on a visit to the UK, studying its approach to the issue.
She described the over-sexualisation of females as "pervasive" and raised fears that sexual bullying and harassment in schools was routine.She described the over-sexualisation of females as "pervasive" and raised fears that sexual bullying and harassment in schools was routine.
The Home Office said the government was committed to ending violence against women and girls.The Home Office said the government was committed to ending violence against women and girls.
Yarl's WoodYarl's Wood
Ms Manjoo said she had found levels of sexism that did not exist in other countries she had visited.Ms Manjoo said she had found levels of sexism that did not exist in other countries she had visited.
She raised particular concerns about the portrayal of women and girls in the media and the treatment of girls and women in schools.She raised particular concerns about the portrayal of women and girls in the media and the treatment of girls and women in schools.
She said the British media was responsible for "negative and over-sexualised portrayals of women", with some websites and TV channels dealing in the "marketisation of their bodies".She said the British media was responsible for "negative and over-sexualised portrayals of women", with some websites and TV channels dealing in the "marketisation of their bodies".
Ms Manjoo said she had not looked at the websites, but had been "constantly" told about them by people she met on her visit.Ms Manjoo said she had not looked at the websites, but had been "constantly" told about them by people she met on her visit.
She said it was clear "that there is a boys' club, sexist culture that exists, and it does lead to perceptions about women and girls in this country".She said it was clear "that there is a boys' club, sexist culture that exists, and it does lead to perceptions about women and girls in this country".
She also said she was worried that sexual bullying and harassment was "routine" in UK schools.She also said she was worried that sexual bullying and harassment was "routine" in UK schools.
Ms Manjoo also raised "deep concern" that she had been prevented from visiting Yarl's Wood Immigration Centre in Bedfordshire. Ms Manjoo also said spending cuts were having a "disproportionate impact" on women, and raised concerns about reductions in legal aid for domestic violence victims.
She said she believed an order to stop her gaining access to the facility had come from the highest levels at the Home Office. She added: "Access to trauma services, financial support and housing are crucial, yet current reforms to the funding and benefits system continue to adversely impact women's ability to address safety and other relevant issues."
She had been due to visit the site with the help of the Prisons Inspectorate, she told journalists, but was told by the centre's director that she would not be allowed access.
'Never agreed''Never agreed'
Ms Manjoo also said she had wanted to visit Yarl's Wood Immigration Centre in Bedfordshire, which houses hundreds of women, to "objectively seek information on violations being experienced".
But she said she believed an order to stop her gaining access to the facility had come from the highest levels at the Home Office.
She had been due to visit the site with the help of the Prisons Inspectorate, she told journalists, but was told by the centre's director that she would not be allowed access.
A Home Office spokeswoman said: "Violence against women and girls in any form is unacceptable and the government has shown its commitment to ending it.A Home Office spokeswoman said: "Violence against women and girls in any form is unacceptable and the government has shown its commitment to ending it.
"A comprehensive programme was drawn up for the special rapporteur's visit, including meetings with the home secretary, the minister for crime prevention, and the chief inspector of prisons."A comprehensive programme was drawn up for the special rapporteur's visit, including meetings with the home secretary, the minister for crime prevention, and the chief inspector of prisons.
"Several other options, including a trip to a women's refuge, were turned down by the special rapporteur."Several other options, including a trip to a women's refuge, were turned down by the special rapporteur.
"A tour of Yarl's Wood immigration removal centre was never agreed as part of this fact-finding mission.""A tour of Yarl's Wood immigration removal centre was never agreed as part of this fact-finding mission."