We really are in this together

Story published on Women's Views on News, October 22, 2012

WVoN spoke to some of the many women who took part in Saturday’s anti-cuts march.

Two thirds of public sector workers are women, so it was no surprise that there were lots on a march protesting government cuts, nor that many had lost their jobs.

Speaking to those on the march, it’s clear that feelings run high.

Adele from Nottingham was made redundant over a year ago after returning from maternity leave. “I want a sustainable economy with public sector investment. We are not saving money, the deficit is growing,” she said.

Lydia Dalton, a social worker from Ealing, West London was redeployed in 2010.

“The disabled people I worked with were left with no service. I am marching to protect the services we have and regain those already lost.

“I don’t think the 99 per cent should pay for the problems caused by the 1 per cent.

“You can see the cuts biting now and they have only implemented the first 20 per cent,” she said.

“I’ve been made redundant from a job I was doing for 28 and a half years, helping people, making sure disabled people get a fair service. It’s a disgrace to say we are British,” said Jane Oliver from Southend on Sea.

“The cuts to services are particularly harming women if you look at cuts to in-work tax credits like childcare credits it really is women who are suffering,” said Sonia Sager of the Battersea Labour Party.

“In terms of the impact on the economy as a whole it’s mainly women who are in part time work,” she said.

“I want my grandchildren to have the same as I had. A good NHS, good schools, things they can do. There is absolutely nothing they can do now. I want jobs for them.

“Mr Cameron has got to listen to his people. We’ve had a fantastic Olympics and we want that to carry on,” said Mrs Cooper, a pensioner from Nuneaton.

Nadia Clarke, a wheelchair user from Halifax, West Yorkshire was marching against cuts to her personal care budget.

“I won’t have any PA’s, I won’t have any care, I won’t be able to come to things like this. It will cut my independence, social skills, everything,” she said.

“They are on about closing our local hospital. The other one is a 20 minute drive away. That is no use for A & E,” said Becca from Bolton.

“I don’t know how my three children are going to pay back their university fees. I’m just glad my youngest left school last year,” said Debbie Salmon, from Sutton.

“I want to support all the people who are losing their jobs. We all need to stand together and fight and make sure we do things that are going to work better in future,” said Jessica who works for the GMB union.

“The cuts have affected everybody across the country and if they haven’t affected them they have affected someone they know,” said Carole Clarkson from Hull.

“The government really are here to punish ordinary people. They are discriminating and demonising the disabled and unemployed,” said Valerie Sissons, from Chessington in Surrey.

“Those who have got jobs are frightened about losing them. [The government] is very much about divide and rule and this is about bringing people together,” she said.

And there was a warning to Labour. “Miliband is not welcome here today,” said Sissons.

“The Labour party needs to get its act together and remember its grass roots voters. Stop trying to pursue government cuts because they will be doing the same thing only maybe not quite as hard. Unless they remember who they are supposed to represent they are going to get beaten again.

“We want a general strike.

“The rest of the country is waking up to this as well. We won’t give up without a fight there’s no way we are going to roll over while the rich get richer and the poor poorer.

“To nick Cameron’s phrase, we really are in this together. There is no way we are going to roll over and take all these cuts when the money is in the system,” she said.

Simple blood test could detect breast cancer

Story published on Women's Viewes on News, October 9, 2012

Britain’s largest breast screening clinic is to begin trials on a simple new blood test which may detect breast cancer before symptoms emerge.

Researchers claim that the test may also be useful in detecting potential relapses or the type of breast cancer, enabling clinicians to prescribe treatments which tackle it most effectively, claim researchers from the University of Leicester and Imperial College.

Cancer Research UK, in collaboration with the Univeristy of Leicester and Imperial College, London have invested over £1m into the study.

Blood samples will be taken from women attending the breast screening clinic at Charing Cross hospital in London and the DNA will be compared between women diagnosed with breast cancer and those who are not to see what DNA markers are consistent.

Dr Jacqui Shaw, principal investigator from the University of Leicester, said: “Women could have an annual blood test rather than breast screening. This would remove any worry and anxiety for women who are called for further investigations after a mammogram only to find they don’t have cancer.

“As things stand we aren’t able to monitor breast cancer patients after they’ve had surgery and treatment – which is like treating diabetes, but not measuring blood sugar levels. The new blood test could change that.”

Rape Really is No Joke

New campaign targets those who think rape is funny.

A new campaign has been launched against comedians who make jokes about rape.

Rape is No Joke was set up after reports of widespread misogyny at this year’s Edinburgh Festival.

This included a widely publicised incident when comedian Daniel Tosh told a woman who stood up and told him that his rape joke was no laughing matter, that it would be really funny if she was raped right there. 

“The woman who stood up at the gig was very brave, but it would be good to have a campaign with lots of people to say that is not acceptable,” said Sarah Wrack, one of the campaign organisers.

Rape is No Joke is asking comedians, venues and organisers of comedy events to sign up to their pledge that they will not make rape jokes themselves or book acts who make them.

“The campaign will target those who make rape jokes and urge people to organise local events so that people can go to a venue and know they are not going to have to sit through that sort of thing,” said Wrack.

The group is planning a major launch event, but is also asking supporters to organise local events.

NB: The above group should not be confused with a non-UK group of the same name, known as RINJ, who we mention in this piece.

Valuing Maternity launch new guide for working mothers

Story published on Women's Views on News, October 4, 2012

A new campaign aims to tell working mothers their rights

The Valuing Maternity campaign has launched a new video offering advice to working women who are pregnant or new mothers.

More than 30,000 women lose their jobs each year after becoming pregnant and a further 200,000 face unfair treatment as a result of their pregnancy.

In this seven-minute video, solicitor Camilla Palmer, and advice worker Roz Hampson, explain what maternity discrimination is and how you can fight it.

Rebecca Raven, a former teacher who lost her job shortly after announcing she was pregnant, also tells of how she took her employer to an Industrial Tribunal.

“Any unfavourable treatment of a woman who is on or has been on maternity leave is unlawful,” says Palmer in the video.

Palmer believes maternity discrimination is on the increase due to the recession and that employers are often using redundancy as an excuse to get rid of women who are pregnant.

It is, says Palmer, increasingly seen as acceptable for employers to say; “Why would I employ a woman of child-bearing age because of the inconvenience to my business.”

Raven tells how she was handed a letter from the Headteacher of the school she taught at, terminating her employment just three days after she announced she was pregnant.

“At three months pregnant the last thing you expect is for someone to turn round and tell you they are taking away your income and your main source of stability,” she says.

“It was a very harrowing time and not something I would want anyone else to go through.”
Raven also tells of how she lost weight during her pregnancy, and of the long wait for the industrial tribunal.

Hampson advises women to make sure they know their rights before telling their employer they are pregnant. Women should also prepare for problems and make sure they put everything in writing, and ask for written agreements from their employer.

She also urges women to join a union and check their home insurance policy to make sure they have legal cover to cover legal expenses and seek advice quickly.

“Women should join the Valuing Maternity Campaign. 

“We at Maternity Action can give individual women advice about their problems, but we know that with the recession maternity discrimination is getting worse and the government should do something about it.  Now is the time to act,” she said.