fabiana ISSUE # 1 The Fabian Women's Network Magazine AUTUMN 2011

Is Blue Labour feminist? Ivana Bartoletti challenges Maurice Glasman

Launch issue... with contributions from: • MP • • Yvette Cooper MP • MP • Bethan Cansfield • Rachel Reeves MP • Claire Leigh • MP • Giovanni Allegretti Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine WELCOME TO FABIANA Ivana Bartoletti

Editor Editor: Ivana Bartoletti

t is a challenging time for politics in Sadiq Khan analyses the impact on Igeneral and women in particular, which women of the government’s approach to CONTENTS is why we have created Fabiana magazine. reform of legal aid, which shows how Recent years have seen a new wave of Labour men are also increasingly at the A new generation, a new agenda 3 feminism as a fresh generation of women forefront of the fight for equality. As a guest Seema Malhotra have entered the public sphere, in NGOs, writer, he joins a host of other distinct voices, What women want 4 public bodies, think tanks and social both British and international ,makeing the Harriet Harman MP media. There is an increasing awareness link between political decisions and social Hit twice as hard 5 that the quality of politics and policies is outcomes. Yvette Cooper MP much better where women are present at Fabiana is grounded in the vision of What's holding us back 6-7 all levels. equality that is enshrined in international Monica Threlfall But it is not just about presence. Politics conventions, achieved by international Just join in 8 and policies which include women, are led women’s movements. We will be building Ann-Joy Rickard by women, and represent the communities links to those overseas who are vigorously From fake to full democracy 9 where women live and work are most likely pursuing the empowerment of women. Andreyana Ivanova to be politics of change, true reform and To succeed with our magazine, we Sparring with Maurice Glasman 10 -11 modernisation for all. Feminism is both continue to need the help of many people. Ivana Bartoletti the lens through which to regard society in Our first issue owes a great deal to the Small interactions, big changes 12 a different way and the guiding beacon to steadfast commitment of FWN’s Director Eleanor Shember Critchley effect change. Seema Malhotra and the Fabian Women’s An injustice too far 13 Fabiana aims to provide a new platform Network Committee. It is also the product Sadiq Khan MP for policy analysis and comment, and of many unpaid evenings and weekends Going the wrong way about it 14 an arena where the power and potential worked by sub-editor Suki Ferguson. Rachel Reeves MP of women can be heard and showcased, Above all, this magazine will thrive Power shifts ahead 15 helping to change how the debate about on the passion of those of you who will Rebecca Veazey gender takes place between women and write for it. Whatever your walk of life in A new way forward 16 men. In our first issue, several of our writers politics, business, the public sector or civil Rushanara Ali MP are drawn from the first Fabian Women’s society, I look forward to interacting with An Arab Spring for women 17-18 Network Mentoring Scheme, contributing you. Ideas and proposals can be sent to Ilham Shebani fresh ideas and sound policy analysis. me directly at Fabiana.Magazine@fabian- At the table, not on the menu 19 It is a century since the first International society.org.uk. Chitra Nagarajan Women’s Day in 1911. Yet in 2011, women It is a privilege to welcome you Peace with justice 20 in the UK and around the world are to Fabiana. This is an exciting new Bethan Cansfield experiencing injustices that massively limit venture for the Fabian Women’s Network Leading the way in Africa 21 both their chances and their contributions. and we are determined to make the most Claire Leigh Yvette Cooper, who has shown how the out of it. Read on, and please send me Real responsibility 22-23 Tory-led government’s actions hit women your feedback! Interview with Dr Giovanni Allegretti hardest, writes here about the long term impact this will have on their economic and Fabiana is the magazine of the Fabian Women’s Network (FWN). The articles represent the views of the writers only and not the collective view oF FWN. social position. She warns how a century of Editor: Ivana Bartoletti is under threat, so that now is a Sub-editor: Suki Ferguson Designed by: jamesenglishdesign.com vital time for women’s organisations. Illustratior: www.daddoillustrations.com The National Women’s Conference FWN Director: Seema Malhotra Email: [email protected] in Liverpool will be an important event. Twitter: @FabianWomen Website: http://www.fabianwomen.co.uk I am delighted that Harriet Harman is General Secretary: Andrew Harrop Fabian Society membership: Giles Wright 020 7227 4904 previewing her uncompromising message, (under 31s): http://www.youngfabians.org.uk restating that our position as Labour Young Fabians Women: Claire Leigh, [email protected] Party women is to be on equal terms with Fabian Women’s Network Suki Ferguson is the c/o Fabian Society sub-editor of Fabiana men and to speak up for the hopes and 11 Dartmouth Street London SW1H 9BN aspirations of all women in this country. Telephone: 020 7227 4900 Fax: 020 7976 7153

2 Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine A NEW GENERATION, A NEW AGENDA Seema Malhotra,

Director Fabian Women’s Network FWN Director: Seema Malhotra

ince we launched the Fabian Women’s We are still far from where we want to progress than his predecessors but even SNetwork (FWN) six years ago, we be in terms of women’s representation. The he acknowledges the need to do more. have constantly sought to raise the early Fabian Women’s Group, founded in The Lib Dems face the possibility of profile and contribution of women in 1908 and ending in 1944, existed at a time losing almost all their women at the next political and public life. I am absolutely when women were fighting for the right general election unless they adopt new delighted that this year we are launching to vote. Those early women, including strategies to address the issues they face – Fabiana, our new magazine, which we , Maud Pember Reeves particularly that of women being selected know will become a strong voice in political and Harriot Stanton Blatch left a legacy in less safe seats. and social debate. My thanks to Ivana for us to take forward. They campaigned But what we also know is that in a Bartoletti and her team for her tireless for equality, for changes to policy and global world, one parliament can have an efforts to make this happen. for the right to vote. Today the fight is impact on the lives of women everywhere, We all have great dreams in life – and also moving to having an equal political and women in political life who may not in true Fabian style (the early motto of voice for men and women – witness themselves be in elected positions can have the Fabians being “the inevitability of the Lead4women grassroots network an impact on campaigns and outcomes. gradualness”), it can sometimes take time campaign for 50:50 gender representation Our commitment is to progress of to see them become a reality. When the at all levels of the Labour Party, the women in the UK and around the world, FWN was founded it was done with the Labour parliamentarians vote last year hence also the additional focus of women and aspiration to increase visibility of women on quotas in the Shadow Cabinet and international development in this first in politics and better connect women in the Harriet Harman’s call for gender balance in issue. The world is undergoing great Fabian Society with our Parliamentarians. Labour’s leadership to be enshrined in economic and political turbulence and Over the last six years, the FWN has grown our rule book, as it is for many sister women must have a greater voice in the as a network, holding seminars, events and social democratic parties abroad. new settlements. It is time for a step change receptions. This year we launched a unique Our House of Commons includes just in women’s power and leadership in all political education and mentoring pro- 22% women, lower than over fifty other areas – women in politics, women in gramme, supported by an Advisory Group nations including Rwanda, Iraq, Sweden, employment, women in business, women chaired by Meg Munn MP. Mexico and Canada. But still we can in families and women in communities. The Fabian Society has over 2,000 be proud of the lead Labour has taken. This magazine will spark a rich forum women members and approximately 70 Labour has the strongest record and a for debate. As a complement to the Fabian Fabian women parliamentarians across current proportion of 32% women in Review and the Young Fabians flagship the Commons and the Lords, all of whom the Parliamentary Labour Party. With magazine Anticipations, I look forward blaze their own trail for progress and who 16% of current Conservative MPs to it taking its place in the Fabian family, help give our network the vibrance and being women, their highest proportion and being a platform for new women political vitality that makes it so unique. ever, can point to more writers to also make their mark.

FWN COMMITTEE

Message from Norma Stephenson Seema Malhotra – Director Emma Carr – Secretary Johanna Baxter – Union Liaison "Congratulations to all in Laura Nelson – Head of Communications Norma Stephenson, the Fabian Women’s Network Christine Megson – Mentoring Scheme Co-ordinator Chair Labour Party on the launch of Fabiana, Sarah Hutchinson – Researcher and Website National Executive which I’m sure will make a real Emma Burnell – Events Manager Ivana Bartoletti – Editor, Fabiana magazine Committee. contribution to ensuring the voices of women are heard in – Events and Social Media Amina Lone – Fabian Women’s Network North our Party. I would like to take Carolina Lindhal – Research and Membership this opportunity to wish you all Alex Kemp – Research and Events a very successful Conference Nina Champion – Events and every success for your Claire Hickson – Events new magazine." Claire Leigh – Research and Mentoring Scheme Christine Quigley – Young Fabian Women liaison

Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine 3 WHAT WOMEN WANT Deputy Leader Harriet Harman addresses the National Conference in Liverpool

At our conference in And it is thanks to Labour women that the government is wavering on changes to Liverpool this autumn the DNA database which would make it harder to convict rapists. there will be a great The government says that in develop- ing countries, it is women and girls who gathering of hundreds are their priority. But they are a men-only ministerial team. They do not practice of Labour women what they preach and, as a result, are less effective internationally. GREAT LABOUR WOMEN THROUGHOUT THE PARTY PRESS ON WITH PROGRESSIVE CHANGE WITHIN THE PARTY There are terrific Labour women through- out the party – in all regions, of all ages But we cannot rest on our laurels in be- and of all ethnicities. They are active in ing ahead of the Tories on women’s rep- their wards and General Committees. They resentation. The Tories are clearly deter- are serving on their local councils. We have mined to push forward into the public a woman leader of our team in the Euro- eye the few women they have. We must pean Parliament, and strong women in the Harriet Harman MP press on with women-only shortlists; we Assembly and government of Wales, and must change our leadership rules to en- in the Scottish Parliament. In Westminster WHAT WOMEN WANT sure that we do not revert to a men-only our team of Labour women speaks out team; we must have 50% in the Shadow clearly from the backbenches and in the So, as we meet in Liverpool the theme of Cabinet; we must ensure that coming out Shadow Cabinet. Labour has more women our women’s conference is “what women of our policy review, all our policies de- MPs than all the other parties put together. want”. What we want for women in the liver for women and we must strengthen Labour Party is to be on equal terms with the links with women in trade unions. WOMEN IN THE COUNTRY UNEQUAL men, so we can strongly speak up for the hopes and aspirations of women in this IMPROVING OUR ELECTORAL But women remain unequal. At work, country. No other party will. PROSPECTS women are still paid 22% less than men and women are poorer in retirement. Our electoral prospects are only strength- Human traffickers sell women for sex, NO OTHER PARTY WILL MAKE ened by a determined and outspoken voice and every week women lose their lives to CHANGE FOR WOMEN from Labour women. We are a party look- . In the developing ing to the future and it is the essence of world, too many women die in childbirth Yvette Cooper has shown how the Tory- a society’s modernity for women to be on and millions are subjected to the barbarity led government has hit women hardest. Of equal terms with men. As the “optimists” of female genital mutilation. nearly £17bn worth of cuts £11bn have against the pessimism of the Tories, we fallen on women – in the child benefit represent women’s aspiration and expecta- WOMEN IN LABOUR UNEQUAL freeze and cuts to tax credits, including a tion for a fairer future. reduction in childcare support. And as the As Labour women we want to work to deficit reduction axe hits the public sector FEMINIST SOLIDARITY bring about equality here and abroad. To it is, disproportionately women’s jobs, that do that we must be equal in our own party. are being lost across local government, the And as women we must ensure that we all But while compared to other parties we are police and the voluntary sector. Rachel support the women we work alongside, way ahead, and despite the fact that Labour Reeves has highlighted the rank unfair- and pave the way for the women who has always seen itself as the party of equal- ness of the pension changes which will come after us. We have some tough bat- ity, Labour women remain far from equal. deny 33,000 women in their mid-50s more tles to fight – but we will have failed un- Though we have made progress we still than £10,000 because of changes to accel- less we leave things more equal than we have far to go at all levels of the party. erate increases to their state pension age. found them.

4 Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine Yvette Cooper MP is the Shadow HIT TWICE AS HARD Home Secretary A century of progress under threat

By Yvette Cooper MP

ow is a vital time for organisations like It’s also about how budget cuts are hitting Osborne all see public sector intervention Nthe Fabian Women’s Network. Things vulnerable women. One in five domestic as promoting dependency. we once took for granted in the march to- violence courts are closing; specialist But we know that for millions of wards women’s equality now seem to be in domestic violence officers in police forces women, things like maternity rights, tax doubt. For generations we have seen major up and down the country are being cut as credits and public services give women improvements in women’s opportunities, a result of the 20% cuts to the police; and independence and choices. For example, we chances and choices in Britain. Yet suddenly DNA is not being held in rape cases in which know that cuts in childcare support have the scale of the onslaught by the Tory led charges are not brought. These are just a few meant some women can no longer afford to government on women’s lives not only puts policies where vulnerable women are bearing go out to work. Conversely we know some further progress at risk, it also threatens to the brunt. And let’s not forget about the women, who want the choice to stay at turn the clock back. For the sake of women things the government tried to do but failed home while their children are small, will no across the country, we need women and men thanks to Labour campaigns: cutting rape longer be able to afford to, they will have to to come together to challenge the damaging sentences, making rape defendants uniquely go back to work after all. action by government, but also to look for- anonymous because victims couldn’t be That’s the problem with cutting support ward and get progress for women’s equality believed, and foot dragging on signing the for families, you cut women’s choices, and back on track. EU Trafficking Directive. their independence at the same time. No doubt we have come a long way in The far reaching, damaging and This is not just the view of the Labour the last 100 years. From the right to vote to cumulative effects of these policies make it party. There are women gathering across the equal pay act, from childcare to the first untenable to naively believe this is just a the country, in all walks of life to stand woman MP and from Sure Start to the Equal- Conservative and Liberal Democrat blind up against these cuts, to fight against the ity Act, considerable progress has been won. spot on women. The truth is that this goes clock being turned back. And the Labour But this progress is now under threat. much deeper. party and Fabian Women’s Network need Sure Start centres are already closing despite No one could contemplate ending to do more. We need to not just defend the David Cameron’s promises to protect them. maternity leave unless they either had progress made, we need to look forward Child care and summer play scheme places no idea about working women’s lives, to the future too. That means working are being cut back - making it harder for or thought mothers should stay at home. with women and men across the country, women to work. The Prime Minister’s top government ministers clearly believe public harnessing the convictions of young and old advisor has even proposed scrapping mater- sector intervention to secure things like alike, because increasing women’s equality nity leave altogether. employment rights and support for families is vital for women and men so everyone Meanwhile the House of Commons is undesirable and should be minimised. can benefit from stronger families, fairer library analysis of the direct tax and ben- David Cameron, Nick Clegg and George communities and a stronger economy too. efit changes in the government’s emergency budget and spending review found that women are paying more than twice as much as men to get the deficit down - £8.80 a week is coming from women compared to £4.20 from men. Yet women still earn less and own less than men. How on earth can that be fair? The way the government is changing the pension age hits women harder too. Women in their mid fifties are set to lose between £5,000 and £15,000 with less than seven years to work out how to cope. Women’s jobs too are disproportionately affected as they are bearing the brunt of public sector job cuts - 75% of council jobs and 77% of NHS jobs are done by women. But this is not just about the pound in women’s pockets or the jobs that women do.

Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine 5 Monica Threlfall is Reader in European Politics, London WHAT’S HOLDING Metropolitan University US BACK The two main obstacles to women’s

full political representation By Monica Threlfall

The argument over the need for As we know, Britain is not one of these, a substantial presence of women sharing 48th place in the world ranking in parliaments is thankfully over – with Uzbekistan, Eritrea and Czech Repub- or is it? lic, with Serbia snapping at their heels. This is not wholly Labour’s fault - women’s par- True, the feminists - who were ridiculed in liamentary presence doubled in 1997 from the 1980s for saying all elective decision- 60 to 120 as part of its historic victory. And making bodies must contain at least 40% even though the Conservatives trebled their of female representatives, simply because numbers of women MPs in 2010, Labour is women are half the population - have still way ahead with 81 women to their 49. won the argument at the international Still, at 22%, UK women still suf- level. While Nordic countries and fer a huge deficit of political represen- the French socialists were in the tation. Why is this so? Two big vanguard in the 1970s, Europe- obstacles lie in the way of im- wide and worldwide Labour proved representation of women. and social democratic parties active in the European Obstacle one: the single- Parliament and the Socialist member bias International accepted the principle of gender parity The first culprit is the ‘single-mem- representation in the 1990s. ber plurality’ electoral system (FPTP’s The United Nations got all official name). Canada and Aus- member-states to endorse tralia are ranked 38th, and the universal goal of “a the United States 70th in full and equal share the world rankings and in political decision- they also have single- making” for women in member constituencies. Beijing in 1995. By 2010, 15 This is the single-member obsta- parties of post-communist cle. Evidence shows that where Eastern Europe had adopted the choice is between one man and some form of minimum one woman, electorates are biased quotas for women, thanks to towards the lone man, whereas they pressure from local women’s accept women in mixed teams. The movements. Currently 108 small population size of Westminster parties in the world have party constituencies is part of the problem, rules to oblige their selection creating a focus on individuals and committees to adopt a balanced personal leadership capacity, which is number of male and female to the advantage of traditional-look- candidates. ing white males thanks to biases in Undoubtedly, this is the popular imagination about what a progress - though country leader looks like. responses vary excessively: In addition, the widespread desire the worldwide average is for a “good constituency MP” masks only 19%, yet 24 countries a focus on what are too often local have over 30% of women problems or NIMBY issues that should legislators in their lower be dealt with by local government. house, and 7 of them have What Britain and Labour need are reached a gender balance good national legislators who of over 40% of women will fight to advance social jus- parliamentarians. tice for the vast collectives of

6 Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine under-privileged men and women all over all our current 500+ male MPs were International called for at least one third the country. originally selected because they were of parliamentarians to be female, in order In contrast, many other countries use outstanding individuals of unchallenged to achieve “a higher quality of political fixed administrative districts as electoral personal probity, highly educated, with decision-making” (sic). How long before boundaries and elect several MPs to extensive or relevant previous experience, this paradox is resolved? The hidden represent each one, which allows teams of expert knowledge of Britain’s problems, presumption is men can be competent just candidates to include women. The winners and a good idea of likely legislative by being average, but women can only be will usually be from several parties, solutions? When it comes to selecting a competent after passing tests to prove they enabling successful men and women woman, her sex is suddenly perceived as are above average. MPs to compete to develop and maintain a potential handicap only overcome if she their electorate’s support for their party’s can display an array of superior What Labour can do policies. Although small constituencies intellectual, lifetime career, and give the public an impression of greater personal merits. Labour needs to grasp this anti- closeness and feel more manageable to In case this seems incredible, rational nettle by launching the individual MP, it is the overall number a recent four-country study a debate on the function of of MPs per population that counts. The (including Britain) that used our elected representatives: to high or low density of MPs on the ground the more confidential setting represent people who must is what encourages each to get closer or of focus groups instead of necessarily be grouped in social remain distant. a quick-question survey collectives around common uncovered a persistent interests, identities, or values malaise among the male (the three often do not overlap and female public about but each has an internal women in politics. consistency) in order for their "When it comes to Women were not entitled needs to be articulated and for to be in parliament just parties to aggregate them into a selecting a woman, because there were few coherent political strategy. there already, or just In voting terms, women are the her sex is suddenly to represent women largest collective, on a par with in the way (former) the male collective that has held perceived as a working class male MPs dominant power so far and shaped can claim to represent our institutions in their own image, potential handicap workers, or businessmen despite manifest class divisions can stand for enterprise. among them. Yet at election time, only overcome if she Nor indeed are they Labour fails to address women as trusted as politicians to women, or at least address particular can display an array of represent the constituency, sub-groups of women such as those their party, or the country, on low income, mothers, victims superior intellectual, unless they can show they of violence and those living in have a series of publicly fear of it, or members of one or lifetime career, and recognised qualifications or other of our many British ethnic merits, as if going for a top minorities. Until the discourse personal merits." executive job instead of a changes, women will not in effect political representation role. be represented by the Labour While few voiced anxiety party, and there will never be 343 about men’s capacities women MPs instead of 143. Obstacle two: the gender bias for becoming candidates, Bill Clinton on taking office male politicians were announced he wanted his government The second culprit of women’s political criticised for their poor ‘to look like America’. If the House of representation deficit is bias against performance in office, but without Commons looked like Britain, with a full women candidates. This is the elephant this coming back to haunt them at gender balance and a significant presence in the room: popular conceptions around selection time. of different classes, ethnicities, abilities the ‘merit’ or ‘qualifications’ needed for As far back as 1979 an aristocratic and disabilities, and sexual identities, someone to perform the MP’s ‘job’. We conservative Spanish politician published it would surely pay more attention to all feel we know instinctively what this an opinion article in the leading Spanish reducing social and economic inequalities, ‘merit’ is and hold it up as a benchmark, newspaper El País, saying “we will have to provision of effective public services, but subjective images, biases, and myths equality in parliament when as many and be more reluctant to launch wars. abound. The national conversation is mediocre women manage to gain seats as This is not to essentialise women still ignoring this, taking only baby-steps there are currently mediocre men.” This MPs as feminists, but to recognise that if forward, such as all women shortlists in is far from being achieved. Already in the composition of parliament radically only half of free seats. What to do about 2003 the Congress of all social democratic changed to 50/50 for both genders, it the unacknowledged assumption that parties members of the Socialist would be transformed.

Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine 7 Ann-Joy Rickard is the Director of an international relief and JUST JOIN IN development network in Cambridge. She is on the Young Fabian Executive and on the You don’t have to know everything mentor programme organised by the Fabian Women’s Network.

By Ann-Joy Rickard

ne day it suddenly dawned on me if you have to google people or terms that Othat, born in Britain in 1913, my others assume you would know, that is grandma was born into a country where fine. The key is wanting to see change in "The key is wanting women couldn’t vote. When she was four, society and change in your community. Parliament would finally take the decision Confidence, confidence, confidence! You to see change in to give certain women over the age of can do it, you can be involved. Women 30 the vote, and her own mother would before you fought to give you this right. society and change just be eligible as a 31-year-old wife of And for those women who are already a householder. Aged 14 years old, my involved in politics: please bring people in your community." grandma would have seen the celebrated with you. Don’t pull the ladders up behind day when all women in the UK were given you, don’t make it an exclusive club the right to vote on equal terms with men, with confusing jargon. Every door that is and at 21 she would have been added to the opened to you can be opened to others. electoral register – a new and prized right. Find women standing on the sidelines, This is my grandma we’re talking about. tentatively watching but unsure how to Just two generations before me. How begin. Find young women who care about quickly we have forgotten. To have a voice their communities and explain that politics in democracy, to be an equal citizen with is a channel for change. Find women to the power to fully participate in politics, bring on the journey with you. was a dream to be fought for. It matters that I saw my grandma 2 days before she women are in politics; it mattered then and died. She kissed me and whispered ‘God it matters now. bless’. My grandma’s legacy is her family And so, to any woman reading this and the people she touched through her article who feels like an outsider to politics: work as a teacher. We too will leave a don’t focus on what you don’t know, focus legacy. As far as politics goes, may the on your right as a citizen to be involved. You legacy we leave be one of open doors and don’t have to know everything before you increased opportunities for others. Not join in. If ‘Left’ and ‘Right’ are confusing, long ago, for women in Britain, this was if you can’t recognise people in the Cabinet, only a dream.

8 Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine Adreyana Ivanova is an Equality and Diversity FROM FAKE TO Practitioner FULL DEMOCRACY The rise of women’s political

representation in Bulgaria By Adreyana Ivanova

was born in Bulgaria, a country that field work of international non-profit Directives provides an ideal environment I once belonged to the East-European organisations. Due to the anti-feminist and legislative framework for this to Soviet Bloc, during the communist regime. culture that emerged after the fall of happen. The other positive impact of I was five years old when it collapsed. communism, there was a gender equality EU membership on women’s political Although I don’t remember much from vacuum that was gradually diminished by representation is the desire of national that time, one episode is stamped on my the work of international organisations. parties to be legitimised by the European mind: I saw countless numbers of women Therefore, these organisations played party families; thus some national parties and men, standing in front of the National - and are still playing - a crucial role in are starting to apply quota and/or Assembly and yelling out “Democracy!” defending women’s rights by promoting platform initiatives to increase women’s I didn’t understand the meaning of the equality and empowerment. They also representation. word then, but I was told it was something acted as a catalyst for the development Parties are at the centre of European good and that better times were coming. of the third sector in Bulgaria and other and national political life, and have a Between 1989-1990, Bulgaria countries in the region. Thanks to the crucial impact on women’s representation. overhauled its political development financial support of such an organisation, Their impact can be either negative, and called it ‘transitional democracy’. for example, I had the opportunity to visit by acting as ‘gatekeepers’ to political People soon realised, however, that the the UK - one of the oldest democracies decision-making and locking women neo-liberal pattern of transition wasn’t in the world - and learn about women’s out, or positive, by being ‘guarantors’ an overnight solution to the communist political representation. of women’s empowerment and ensuring legacy. In the last twenty years Bulgarian balanced political representation. The UK society endured many political, economic is an excellent case study for the impact and social experiments, and during this of party politics on the representation of painful process women became its biggest women, given that when one party declares losers and victims. To cut a long and bitter "Bulgaria eloquently and demonstrates a serious commitment story short, I grew up in a crippled, fake to increasing women’s representation, the democracy: a democracy without women. illustrates that numerical competition for voters forces the other Times are now changing, and in parties to follow suit. Though Bulgaria saw this article I will focus on the positive representation of women similar competition for women’s votes in democratic factors that contribute 2001, the country lacks the UK’s organised to gender equality in modern post- doesn’t always translate feminist movement, which supports communist Bulgaria. women’s empowerment strategies. First, the education system was into their influence In conclusion, both countries have a gradually modified to comply with the long way to go in order to achieve balanced Western education model, enabling over decision-making political representation. However, while students to broaden their horizons beyond the UK progresses slowly but surely, the Iron Curtain. Thus, for example, in processes." Bulgaria falters. Bulgaria eloquently high school I studied English, Politics, illustrates that numerical representation of Law, Ethics, Psychology and Civil Society. women doesn’t always translate into their These subjects helped me understand influence over decision-making processes. some of the problems and paradoxes The result? Although the percentages in post-communist countries, and The accelerated of women’s political representation in compare Eastern and Western Europe. reinforcement of equality in general, and Bulgaria and UK are almost the same Furthermore, I was free to explore topics sex equality in particular. The first positive (respectively, 21% and 22%), the gender I was passionate about such as fairness, aspect is that candidates are required outcomes are very different. equality and women’s rights. Thanks to transpose EU Equalities Directives Despite this, I remain optimistic: to this, I felt empowered to pursue my as part of acquis communautaire. recent studies show that women’s dreams of working towards a gender Although member states possess the descriptive representation has a positive equal society. exclusive right to initiate and enforce effect on their knowledge and interest Further democratic changes came practices aiming at increasing women’s in politics, and it is this that ultimately about thanks to United Nations and political representation at national level, encourages them to engage as voters and Council of Europe incentives, and the the transposition of the EU Equalities political participants.

Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine 9 SPARRING WITH A conversation with MAURICE GLASMAN Ivana Bartoletti ord Glasman is undoubtedly a controversial figure. His take L on where the Labour Party ought to be heading is set out in the pamphlet 'The Politics of Paradox' and his views have generated a lively debate. Many have pointed out that the Blue Labour ideas he advocates envisage a society where men go to work while women stay home with the children. Helen Goodman MP voiced concerns that his theory will be hijacked by those whose real agenda is to destroy the on which so many people depend. Fabiana decided to interview him about women's issues, and so to take him to task over his perspective on the role of women in a Blue Labour society.

IB: Lord Glasman, where do women fit into While there is much radicalism in the way patrimony is the sphere of liberty, and matri- Blue Labour (BL)? you approach issues of oppression and mony is the sphere of love, to put it roughly. marginalisation, you seem to consider care And what we have to do is ensure that men MG: They are completely central to BL. BL is as very much a women’s issue. I wonder if and women inherit both. We have to ensure fundamentally a relational politics in which that radicalism could go a bit further and that we have a reconstitution of a union be- people resist their domination. BL rejects shape a different way for society to see care. tween the patrimony and the matrimony, so domination, it completely comes out of femi- that every person is an inheritor both of lib- nism and this is the most neglected aspect of MG: In my conception of political power I erty and of love, so that women have assets, it all. My own story was influenced at univer- try to complicate the relationship between so that there is a material redistribution, so sity by 1970s and early ’80s feminism. In A the patrimonium and the matrimonium, that they can have greater autonomy. Different Voice by the American gender stud- which are the ancient ways in which we However, the organising concept is rela- ies professor Carol Gilligan was a very big conceptualise political power. So, in Rome, tional power, and holding on to the idea that book for me: it was about how egotistical, the patrimonium (patrimony) was the male life is much better together, with relationships wilful, materialistic and professional concep- inheritance, it was the household which had at its core. That’s the commitment to family tions of liberty and freedom were destructive, autonomy. The citizen, acting as the head life; it’s much easier to care for children and and how the meaning of life lay in both love of the household, could be free in the pub- elderly people if you have a partner (whether and liberty, and the combination of love and lic realm precisely because of the assets and that’s male or female doesn’t bother me). liberty was to be found in building strong re- relationships which they brought to bear in lationships with others. Particularly for wom- the public realm. So material assets, political IB: Yes, Maurice, but when I said that wom- en’s lives, the issue of care and obligation to liberties, power were to be found in the man. en have already complicated the distinction others was fundamental to how politics could Then there was an alternative power and in- between the public and the private I meant work to offer partnership to women, childcare stitutional form which is the matrimonium that they demanded a strong welfare state and care of the elderly, and to find a way of act- (matrimony), and those were the relationships to support them, for example in looking ing in the world to be more powerful without of love, fidelity and care. after their children when they are at work. denying who you are and what you are. Liberalism, by accepting the public/pri- You seem to be transferring these demands So it’s about bringing together what is as- vate distinction in a particularly intense form, into the sphere of personal relationships, sumed to be divided. We think that in terms reproduced patrimony and matrimony as which to me is problematic. of Catholic and Protestant, of immigrant and two spheres. On one hand, the sphere of pub- local, and we certainly think that in terms of lic life and power, and on the other, the sphere MG: First of all, to clarify any misunderstand- men and women. of private life and relationships. Liberalism in ings, there is a very strong role of the state fact intensified the divide between the two. So in this, and it is exactly in this area. On one IB: Issues like childcare and care of those BL is about complicating that distinction. hand you have men, or women, that look after with disabilities or the elderly are crucial children in the home, and that’s a relational to women, as they clearly have a deep in- IB: But women have done this before… matter. But on the other hand there is a need fluence on the opportunities they have to to redistribute resources so there’s childcare join the workforce on an equal footing with MG: This is why BL is a completely in line available. By the way, that’s not exclusively for men. And the recent debate on pensions with the feminist thinking you’ve been refer- the central state to provide, strong local insti- has shown how women’s contributions ring to. This is to locate exactly where we tutions can have an important role as well. overall are lower than men’s because they come from. It is not to dissolve the distinction We tend to think very one-dimensionally work less due to disproportionately bearing between men and women, as if women did in regard to these things, but let’s begin from caring responsibilities, which in turn high- not suffer much greater oppression in relation the question that I begin with, my organising lights the issue of women’s relative poverty. to a huge number of things, but it is to say that feminist question, which is: ‘What do women

10 Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine want?’ Then we see that women want sup- and in order to honour them you have to individually in terms of individual fulfil- port with living their life, a meaningful life, a have material redistribution. ment. It is a theory of the common good, fulfilled life, and that involves not exclusively This is a mix of the patrimony and the so there has to be always a negotiation. It work but also free time. This is what I mean matrimony that we talked about before. All doesn’t view women’s interests as divorced by family: decommodifying time, relational women should be full citizens, where citizen- and distinct from men’s interests. time, when particularly women and men ship is to be understood not just in terms of with children can find time to enjoy them- individual agency, but in terms of the rela- IB: When you talk about negotiating the selves, to be together. tional power with other citizens, women and common good I immediately think of non- men. At the same time, men have to have a negotiable values. If we start opening eve- IB: I still find it difficult to understand. When more relational life, a more loving life, more rything to negotiation, what happens to I think about women I think about pay gaps, engaged with their responsibilities with chil- things that are very important to women’s access to careers, leadership and power dren, and I think they are getting there. life, for example abortion? - while it seems the main thing you think about is the family. There is a big gap here. IB: What I think makes all this sound slightly MG: I absolutely believe in an ultimate awkward is that when you talk about women, system of rights, that people shouldn’t be MG: First of all, apologies. This is not at a man always seems to be needed! Relation- tortured, abused and exploited, and I be- all where I want to be in the conversation. I al life is surely important but it ought to be a lieve in freedom of association and expres- tried to make clear that I was talking about choice, not the only route to fulfilment. sion. So every citizen has their liberties, power, patrimony, as well as matrimony. I however their liberties are embedded in have been working for years in London Citi- MG: Just to clarify completely: if a woman their relationships and their obligations to zens with low-paid women, so I am aware of wishes to have an exclusively public life, others. Otherwise what we have is capital- how women have got a very hard deal at the good! If a woman does not wish to have ist domination. For example, my concern moment, because they have a very high bur- a family, if she does not wish to have a with the excessive reliance on careers and den of care, are exploited at work and are relationship, then that’s a full patrimonial professions is that it leads to greater free- still trying to find some space to have loving life. That’s full, uncomplicated citizenship. dom for professional women and greater relationships. From my own experience of My experience, however, is that that’s exploitation for poor women. So again I talking to women, the first issue for me is a very rare instance. To generalise from see citizenship as relational power, both in about power. What we have to do is to build that instance is not to honour women’s work life and in civic, local life, that resists up a redistribution of assets so that women experiences, it’s not to honour the definite that domination and exploitation. can have more autonomy and power. power relations that come into women’s lives, as well as the dilemmas confronted IB: Maurice, where would you like to go IB: And how do you achieve that? by women in the world. My critique of with all this? liberalism is that it has taken that case and MG: Well, I think there are forms of wel- generalised from it, when the vast major- MG: What I don’t want to do is to be ar- fare redistribution that we have to look at, ity of women in the world are living in a rogant in the classical male, Western way, whereby when women have children there much more power-constituted field, where of Marx as well as of Plato and Aristot- is a money transfer directly to the woman. inherited and chosen relational obligations le, that says ‘I know what the future will We have to think about transfers directly come clustering in. We have to find ways of be.’ I don’t know what the future will be. to women in families, so that they’re not making those commitments easier to bear I just want to open up the space, the free dependent exclusively on an earner for in partnership with others. space of relationships for people to negoti- wages, or on their own labour power. One ate with each other and see what matters of the great initiatives that the Labour IB: Yes, but countries where women are to them. And what I’ve learnt in my life Party did was SureStart, where isolated, more powerful are the ones with a model is that life is surprising. What will come poor women were brought in relation with of welfare which focuses on persons, not out of these politics could be quite shock- others. That was a wonderful thing. What families, which is quite a different approach. ing. What women want is yet to be fully wasn’t so wonderful is that it became a expressed in the public realm, and I look welfare-to-work scheme. Over time, it MG: Yes, I would reconceptualise this as forward to seeing it and being part of it. I went from being a relational form of wel- saying not persons, not families, but rela- share the non-negotiable concern with the fare to being a very administrative form of tionships. That’s the crucial BL theme. Ob- autonomy of the person, the liberties of ex- welfare. Something that was designed to viously I would defend to the death and pression and association, but after that it’s bring women together with their children always support the right of divorce and all up for grabs, and our welfare state is became something designed to separate autonomy. But it is very good if people can the result not of rights, but of political ac- women from their children. find a way of being together in the world, tion, particularly by the Labour movement. We have to honour women’s choices. and all the evidence suggests that this is a If women want to work, we have to do good thing – obviously not in the case of As the conversation draws to a close Mau- all we can to support that work, and to abusive relationships, that is always bad. rice sighs, and reflecting on the discussion support the equality of work. If women Bringing people together, relational en- ends with the words “Heavy shit, as they make decisions in a period of their life to ergy, this is the basis of democratic policy. say”. With this, he rolls another cigarette spend time with their children, we also BL is an Aristotelian theory that believes and waves goodbye. have to support that. But the relational that a fulfilled life is lived with others, in aspects of life should not be neglected, relationships of reciprocity, as opposed to Go to next page for conference details

Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine 11 Continued from page 11 “SHOULD WOMEN WELCOME Speakers: OR REJECT BLUE LABOUR?” If you would like to hear more Helen Goodman MP, about the impact of Blue Labour Monday 26th September 2011 Marc Stears (IPPR/Oxford University), on women’s progress, come to this Ivana Bartoletti (Editor, Fabiana) exciting fringe event at the Labour 7pm - 8pm (6.45 for a 7pm start) Chair: Seema Malhotra (Director, Party Conference. West Reception Hall, Liverpool Town Hall Fabian Women’s Network)

Eleanor Shember- Critchley is a researcher and SMALL INTERACTIONS Project Coordinator for Radio Regen BIG CHANGES Women as change-makers in ethnic

minority communities By Eleanor Shember-Critchley

adiqah holds up a leaflet, turns to me These were women who ‘lived in their own a quiet voice and referred to on the phone Sand proclaims that ‘the spoken word is silos’ due to familial arrangements so were system as ‘Anonymous’ in Punjabi. Sad- stronger than the written’ before donning cut off from daily companionship that the iqah became a bridging figure, available her headphones, turning up the mic and written word brought no nearer. However, to provide private encouragement, pub- softly spoke to the rhythm of some Lolly- radio it was more than company through licly translate the leaflets whilst playing wood music. This article is about the power the day; a technology used with knowledge host to NHS and local authority guests to of daily communication on air by key wom- and care, its broadcast messages provide create community discussions on health en figures to enable incremental change the incremental nudges needed to engender and social issues. These daily broadcasts within isolated communities. The quotes greater change that city-wide social strate- mixed with private telephone conversa- come from a period of research undertaken gies, communicated in leaflets, will usu- tions meant Anonymous came out of her at a community radio station in Yorkshire. ally fail to achieve. The technology of radio shell, started to go to college to learn Eng- A couple of years ago there was great enabled broadcast women’s voices to reach lish and maths and has started a business consternation about the amount of NHS isolated listeners and create a shared space catering for weddings. Sadiqah recalled and local authority money being spent on to conceptualise a different environment other conversations with an older female producing public information leaflets for than their daily lived experience. listener who lived alone. The listener ‘said members of ethnic minority communi- Women, particularly ethnic minority “it’s not just about songs, the songs help ties. The truth was, Sadiqah confirmed, women, are often recognised as potentially you pass the time but it’s what you learn ‘people migrate for economic and finan- powerful change-makers, sitting at the heart in between the songs and in between them cial reasons, and they’re the ones who are of wider familial and community networks. you’re chatting away and you’re talk- illiterate so just because they can speak their Yet, authorities and social agencies have ing to each other and you’re discussing language does not automatically mean that yet to alter their modes of communication things and you bring in organisations, they can read or write it either’. This meant to fully grasp the potential of the spoken that’s when we learn the most” and she there were few target ‘customers’ for leaflets word. How can a woman be empowered to says “you don’t know how much you’ve published in Punjabi, Urdu, Bangla, Arabic, look after her and her family’s health if she helped me”’. Pashto etc. Hers, despite growing up in cannot read the leaflet? How can she hope During one broadcast Anonymous cosmopolitan Leeds, was an oral commu- to engage in local neighbourhood commit- called in to say ‘hello’ and how she hadn’t nity, and even S, a more ‘privileged’ Pun- tees if she can’t read the detail? In areas of slept for four days in preparation of an jabi/Urdu speaker who had grown up in a inner cities where pockets of deprivation Asian style wedding for English clients. To mainly white area, was unable to confident- are often tied to legacies of migration, the Sadiqah, she is unrecognisable from the ly write a word of the latter. ability of these outside organisations to play muted and fragile woman she once knew. Sadiqah’s quote reminded me of McLu- their positive role is made harder. These To anyone else, the health and social han’s declaration that ‘the spoken word difficulties are coupled with a natural sus- agencies, Anonymous never existed. was the first technology by which woman picion aroused within these communities Large changes come from small, was able to let go of her environment in of outside interests after events such as the incremental interactions. It is only through order to grasp it in a new way’. What Sad- Bradford riots and the 7/7 bombings. being part of and understanding these iqah was referring to was radio’s potential Breaking off from talking and cueing up broadcast conversations as a woman, as a power to transport her to a new environ- a well loved Ghazal (a deeply intellectual volunteer, as a station board member, that ment, especially when the written word had poem) Sadiqah tells me about one lady who future social policies can be community so often failed members of her community. began calling between tracks, speaking with shaped, owned and effective.

12 Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine Sadiq Khan MP is the Shadow Secretary of AN INJUSTICE State for Justice TOO FAR Why Labour opposes the government’s

legal aid cuts that hit women hardest By Sadiq Khan MP

rom tax and benefit changes, cuts to The government has withdrawn legal claims have only been made to obtain legal Fchildcare support and Sure Start, reduc- aid and advice for all aspects of family law, aid; in short it would create institutional- tions in domestic and sexual violence spe- including divorce, child custody and child ised doubt in the legal system as to wheth- cialist support, public sector job losses, the support. They said they would still provide er claims of domestic violence are truthful, provision of social care and in their pension legal aid for victims of domestic abuse, but potentially making cases of domestic vio- reforms, this government are hitting women their original proposals used a very narrow lence even harder to prosecute. the hardest. definition of domestic violence, and not I accept that our legal system has But it isn’t just in these social policy de- the standard Association of Chief Police changed since ’s Access to cisions that the government is letting wom- Officers definition: physical, psychologi- Justice Act was implemented in 1948, and en down – in the reforms of legal aid, the cal, emotional, financial or sexual abuse. that savings need to be made to our legal government’s attack on women goes right Instead they planned to only give legal aid aid bill which has expanded beyond I im- to the core of our justice system, by restrict- to women that had suffered physical vio- agine even Attlee’s expectations. Labour ing access to justice and undermining the lence in a narrow timeframe before their would have also made cuts to contain the principle of equality before the law. claim was brought and not for any other overall legal aid budget and outlined last For over sixty years legal aid has per- forms of abuse. After intense opposition year, while still in government, where ef- formed a critical role in providing support from the National Federation of Women’s ficiency savings would have been made. to those most at risk of being excluded Institutes, advocacy groups including End But we would have also sought to protect from our legal system. Its creation, by a Violence Against Women and Rights of social welfare legal aid and ensured that Labour government, was a recognition by Women, and the Labour Party, the govern- the poorest and most vulnerable weren’t the state that the government has a duty ment announced they would broaden their excluded from the justice system. to protect the right all citizens have to ac- definition although they still haven’t adopt- We strongly oppose this government’s cess the courts’ system despite their finan- ed the standard definition and some groups plans that make women carry the heaviest cial circumstances. Legal aid has been used claim they barely made any changes at all. burden for Britain’s stalling economy. It’s to provide women in abusive relationships There remains, however, a funda- not right that of the nearly £8 billion worth the legal means to protect themselves from mental problem with making family law of cuts to tax and welfare an estimated 70 violent and psychological abuse, enabled legal aid only available to people that have per cent will fall on women. But excluding women to seek legal advice and support on suffered domestic violence. Doing so would vulnerable people from the justice system housing, debt and child maintenance and create a perverse incentive to claim domes- and denying their human and constitution- allowed some of the most vulnerable wom- tic violence in situations in which it hasn’t al right to access justice through the courts en facing forced marriages access to vital, occurred, which would have the corollary hits right to the heart of our democratic specialist legal help. effect of defence lawyers arguing in crimi- system and we must oppose this with equal Social welfare legal aid has been a life- nal prosecutions of domestic violence that strength and vigour. line for women, in some cases quite liter- ally. Women make over 60 per cent of all applications for legal support in civil and families matters. But the government are severing this lifeline for some of the people most in need of help. If the government’s Legal Aid Sentenc- ing and Punishment of Offenders Bill passes (it is currently in committee stage in the AD House of Commons), the social welfare le- gal aid budget will see cuts of £244 million. This will exclude an estimated 700,000 people from accessing legal advice and, as the government themselves admit in their own impact assessment of the Bill, will dis- proportionately affect women, which has also been highlighted by the most senior female judge in the country, Baroness Hale.

Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine 13 Rachel Reeves MP is the Shadow Minister GOING THE WRONG for Pensions WAY ABOUT IT How the pension age rise penalises

women in their 50s By Rachel Reeves MP

n unfairness runs through the cen- Because these women have typically emails about their revised pension age. A Atre of the government’s pension earned less than men during their working mass lobby of parliament, a 12,000 strong policy. By accelerating the increase in lives, taken career breaks to care for chil- petition handed in at Downing Street and cross the State Pension Age, the government dren, and often worked part-time in an era party support for motions has not persuaded the is hitting a group of women in their when part-time workers were not offered government to make any changes, even though fifties disproportionately. occupational pensions, they have on average they hinted at ‘transitional arrangements’ when The Fabian Women’s Network has tak- one sixth of the savings of their male peers. the Pensions Bill was debated in parliament. en the Minister to task on this, and I have 40% of the women affected have no pension The government has sat on its hands, and sparred with him in the House of Com- savings: they are not in a position to cope time is running out fast for them to make the mons – but throughout the passage of the with these changes at such short notice. necessary changes. Pensions Bill so far, nothing has been done I have backed alternatives that would The Pensions Bill is set to get its to soften the blow. accelerate the increase but do so fairly final reading in parliament this autumn. Increasing longevity makes rises in between men and women and between different We have said that we will work with the the State Pension Age inevitable. We sup- age groups. Piling the burden on the shoulders government but any changes must meet port the equalisation of pension ages, but of women born in 1953 and 1954 is unfair. three requirements: 1) Any transitional 500,000 women will have to wait more At the start of the coalition the gov- arrangements must treat men and women than a year to get their pension - and ernment promised that they would not equally 2) not delay anyone’s pension age 33,000 will have to wait exactly two increase the pension age so rapidly - but by more than a year and 3) give people years. The women worst affected have their plans went against that prom- enough time to plan for the new situation less than seven years to plan for a signifi- ise. This has rightly angered affected they are in. Only then could the changes to cant change in their pension age. women, who have inundated MPs with the pension age be considered fair.

s readers of Fabiana will doubt- ples are now to be found - and to varying BOOK REVIEW: Aless be aware, describing oneself as degrees accepted - virtually everywhere: feminist today provokes familiar, narrow from trade unions to UN conventions. The Future of Feminism, reactions. At best seen as eccentric, at For Walby, feminism is both vibrant worst extremist and 'anti-men', feminism and an integral part of any rational by Sylvia Walby (Polity, 2011) is overwhelmingly perceived as passé. response to the great challenges we now As the title indicates, in The Future face, be it climate change or the finan- of Feminism Sylvia Walby seeks to prove cial crisis. As women - and as the Labour Review by Felicity Slater the contrary. A dense, rigorous - yet Party more broadly - we should be vocal pleasingly concise - academic account of in advocating this fundamental notion the myriad manifestations of contempo- of feminism as a force for good: beyond Felicity Slater is a Young Fabian and an rary feminism, it refutes common asser- qualitative and quantitative improve- intern at Progress tions that feminism is dead. ments to the lives of women, it is more Through meticulously deconstructing broadly about creating a social dynamic multiple domains within civil society and and instilling norms and practices that beyond, Walby uses great swathes of evi- will be beneficial to all. dence to demonstrate feminism’s many We should embrace Walby’s defini- great advances. Yet these are not only its tion of feminism as a broad church that tangible achievements, from the women’s simply seeks gender equality. By doing vote to equal pay legislation, but are this, we can show up the outdated no- symbolised by the permeation of its ob- tions of what feminism is, and affirm jectives. Feminism may be less immedi- that Labour carries on its proud pro- ately perceptible than it was when linked gressive political history of standing up to past protest movements, but its princi- for women.

14 Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine Rebecca Veazey is Acting Head of Policy at the Women’s POWER SHIFTS Resource Centre AHEAD The value of engaging marginalised women By Rebecca Veazey

n December 2010 the Coalition gov- ation of existing power structures in com- covered,’ which sought to educate and Iernment launched the Localism Bill, a munities and the reinforcement of vocally empower women in East London by broad piece of legislation designed to de- dominant groups. teaching them about politics by using art, centralise power from central government The central question that lies ahead discussion and engagement. The organisa- to a local level. The intention of these is simple: how can we all promote civic tion used animations to illustrate the dif- government reforms is to shift influence participation amongst women? And spe- ference that women make to their local away from big government and to create cifically, how can the Labour Party con- communities and facilitate discussions on a bigger society, reduce bureaucracy and tribute to that project? In spring 2011 the community, participation and public life. empower communities. government Equalities Office launched an Whilst supporting such women’s Whilst there is some cynicism attached exciting consultation paper, ‘Strengthen- engagement projects may not present im- to the idea of the , the govern- ing Women’s Voices in government’. One mediate political rewards for the Labour ment’s decentralisation strategy presents of the key elements contained within these Party, they represent an important step interesting opportunities and challenges for proposals was the idea of utilising the ex- in planting seeds of social change. By women. As government seeks to strength- pertise of the women’s voluntary sector. encouraging marginalised women to use en communities by devolving power to a Women’s organisations are an often un- their voices and become more active citi- local level, it’s important to look at the role tapped resource - they have a unique reach zens, these programmes help to increase of women in local decision-making. It’s within communities and support and en- the representation of women’s views in also important to examine who - and how gage with diverse groups of women. They public life. This can only serve to pro- - people are empowered within the com- offer an important platform for promoting mote stronger communities and enrich the munity organiser model, and consider the social action amongst women and - un- quality of local decision-making. As the representation of women’s voices within like wider programmes - provide a more Localism Bill approaches its final stages in that process. relaxed setting, where women can learn parliament, Labour must begin to think Whereas initiatives to increase wom- more about local issues at a social level. about how it can encourage women’s en- en’s political representation are supported An excellent example of this is the gagement with local community issues - by most political parties, the issue of com- London-based women’s organisation, although concrete answers on how to do munity engagement appears to offer fewer Original Ranch. In 2010 Original Ranch this are as yet unclear, this is an opportu- incentives. Women’s capacity and desire hosted an event called ‘Politics Un- nity that should not be missed. to be more active in their communities appear to be declining, perhaps because they are being disproportionately affected by public spending cuts. Women already represent the Big Society, if one takes their caring responsibilities, existing volunteering work and community work into account. Helpfully, the Office for Civil Society has recently commissioned the Women’s Resource Centre to conduct a study regard- ing the barriers and supports to women’s participation in the Big Society agenda. They are keen to explore solutions which promote women’s inclusion in social ac- tion and ensure the potential of women is unleashed. Whilst the government’s social ac- tion strategy is a mainstream policy, its ultimate success will be judged by the government’s ability to engage marginal- ised groups. Ensuring that an equalities framework underpins the empowerment strategy will help to prevent the perpetu-

Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine 15 Rushanara Ali MP is the Member of Parlia- ment for Bethnal Green A NEW WAY and Bow and Shadow Minister for Interna- FORWARD tional Development Girls and women at the heart of

international development policies By Rushanara Ali MP

upporting the sustainable empower- History has repeatedly shown that these countries and supporting grassroots Sment of women and girls in developing women's rights and interests are often an initiatives for women to help women play countries should be integral to any inter- afterthought in matters of war and peace. an active role in peace building processes. national development policy. We must do more to strengthen women's Giving women a political voice in In the last ten years, we have seen participation in peace processes and con- conflict is also critical to long-term devel- significant progress made to address the flict resolution and ensure that women opment and peace building. Women are rights of women in many developing can positively affect change in their coun- often the key decision makers within their countries and there has been a greater tries. The recent uprisings in Egypt and families and local communities. And the recognition that more must be done to elsewhere could mark a turning point wider community benefits of women’s empower women and to address the is- for women’s rights in these countries. economic independence and political par- sue of gender inequality. But more action Women in Egypt played an active role in ticipation must not be under-estimated. must be taken. the protests in Tahrir Square and made Women are the drivers of change and are Women's empowerment is critical to their voices heard. Now, many are find- far more likely to invest their incomes tackling poverty and inequality and if ing it a huge challenge getting their voices back into their families and we must en- there is any hope of meeting the Millenni- heard with negotiations being largely dom- sure that in developing countries, women um Development Goals especially in rela- inated by men. The international commu- have the same rights as men to access tion to maternal health and gender equal- nity can play an important role in support- finance, the workplace, education and ity where progress has been very slow. ing leadership development of women in fairer property rights. In many of today’s conflicts, women and girls are not only victims of the con- flict itself but also face rape and sexual violence, and are affected by HIV infec- tions, trauma and disabilities that often result from it. Girls are disempowered when they cannot go to school because of the threat of violence, when they are abducted or trafficked. Whether in Haiti, Congo, Af- Learn to speak in public ghanistan, Darfur or Libya, women have been exposed to brutal attacks, with rape • Leadership in some conflicts being used as a weapon • Confidence of war. In Libya, there have been reports that rape has been used as a weapon of • Influence war by Gaddafi's regime. • Mentoring In Somalia, 95% of girls aged 4-11 • Inspiration years old are subject to genital mutila- tion and it has been reported that many women who have fled to the Dadaab refu- Camden Speakers Club gee camp to escape the famine have been provides a friendly and supportive environment subject to rape and abuse. for practising skills for speaking in public That is why it is so vital for Britain and other countries to continue to provide aid www.camdenspeakers.org.uk support to these countries and why we must support UN Women. Established in Email Laura Nelson President 2010 by the United Nations General As- [email protected] sembly, UN Women is focused on tackling violence against women, promoting peace See www.the-asc.org.uk for details of and security, improving women’s leader- other speakers clubs across London and the UK ship and participation, economic empow- erment and human rights.

16 Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine Ilham Shebani is Director of Build Self AN ARAB SPRING Group Partnership FOR WOMEN A holistic approach to women’s

empowerment in Libya By Ilham Shebani

ll agree that the need to understand cessful as one would wish, and the old Aand adapt to the current political and question of Islam’s role in politics - and its economic turmoil that has engulfed the vexed relations with gender equality - will Middle East (the ‘Arab Spring’) is very im- inevitably come to the fore. portant - especially given the global nature Despite the centrality of women activ- of business, and the new possibility for ists to the Arab Spring, they have seldom civil disorder and popular discontent to been recognized as significant by most of spread through the internet to other coun- the male politicians who will undoubtedly tries on a mass scale. But beyond our own benefit from what they have accomplished. concerns with finance, technology and For example, it was striking that women governance, the wider business, humani- are unrepresented on Egypt’s constitution tarian, political and social impacts have revision commission in preparation for all created potential for women involved the September elections, and that only one in the Arab Spring – particularly those in woman (a Mubarak holdover at that) was oppressed Libya – to gain empowerment appointed to the twenty-nine-person in- through political representation. terim cabinet.

DO THESE ASPIRATIONS HAVE “The state’s opportunistic attempts to A CHANCE? play up the legislative role of the shari’a coupled with the promotion of conserva- Women in the Middle Eastern regions tive religious discourse that dominated the affected face obstacles in the form of old, public sphere under Hosni Mubarak, con- well-nurtured prejudices from their peers, tributed to stunting freedom of expression and abuse from the state itself. There and breeding intolerance and bigotry.” is also the burden of history – previous Deniz Kandiyoti Promise and peril: wom- attempts at change have not been as suc- en and the ‘Arab spring’ 8 March 2011. The home of community organising within the Labour Movement

• Leadership www.movementforchange.org.uk • Confidence @M4COnline • Influence #M4CWomwn • Mentoring • Inspiration

Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine 17 “As women look to the future, they worry Women have been aided by this genera- of electoral parity is one possible way that on the road to new, democratic par- tion’s advances in education and the profes- of responding to any patriarchal liamentary regimes, their rights will be sions, by the prominence of articulate wom- political backlash. discarded in favor of male constituencies, en anchors on satellite television networks The future for these Arab countries whether patriarchal liberals or Muslim like Aljazeera, and by the rise of the Internet will depend on the political readiness of fundamentalists. The collective memory of and social media. Women can assert leader- new governments to prepare for a well- how women were in the forefront of the ship roles in cyberspace that young men’s’ rooted democratic form of governance. Algerian revolution for independence from dominance of the public sphere might have In Libya, the government will need to France from 1954 to 1962, only to be rel- hampered in city squares. be prepared to adopt strategies within egated to the margins of politics thereafter, The Arab Spring has been a mass the Libyan Interim Transitional Nation- still weighs heavily.” movement, and as a result women activists al Council (ITNC) to create a sustain- Juan Cole and Shahin Cole, An Arab have come from all social classes. Middle able legal, social, political and business Spring for Women. April 26, 2011. and upper-class women often focus their framework. political energies on issues of political rep- The Arab Spring calls for social jus- “The abuse of women, a central issue in resentation and on laws affecting women’s tice, democracy and freedom. This new era countries like Libya, even burst into con- equality. Seeking constitutional guarantees must benefit women as well as men. sciousness when a recent law-school graduate from a middle-class family in Tobruk, Iman al-Obeidi, broke out at a government press The path to positive and long-lasting change is rarely politically conference in Tripoli to charge that Qaddafi’s easy, but in this instance it is clear what needs to be prioritized troops had detained her at a checkpoint and then raped her. Her plight provoked women’s if the lives of women in the Middle East are to improve. New demonstrations against the regime in the re- governments need to: bel-held cities of Benghazi and Tobruk”. Juan Cole and Shahin Cole, An Arab Spring for Women. April 26, 2011. > Build an inclusive democracy, to restore agency and human dignity. These negative factors all confirm that the process of change will be a challenging one, but to focus solely on these is misguided > Consider the demands of a generation of women activists: they – there are plenty of advances in the region want new representation and a place at the table in the process that have already promoted women, and if of democratization and regime change. these are conserved and built upon, women can develop a strong political platform for the future. > Take women’s concerns seriously, and reject dismissive reactions to the problems of representation. ADVANCES MADE, AND HOW TO PROTECT THEM > Harness the of the Arab Spring to create Politicians in the transitional govern- empowering outcomes for women equality ment of Tunisia - for decades the most progressive Arab country with regard to women’s rights - are determined to pro- > Move towards more genuine democratic participation tect the public role of women by making and a strong social justice agenda. sure they are well represented in the new legislature. Elections will be held this au- tumn, and a high commission has been > Use progress on women’s rights issues to illustrate democracy appointed to set electoral rules. That body in previously non-democratic nations. has already announced that party lists will have to maintain parity between male and female candidates. > Push towards a new polity, where democracy means The sheer number of politically active substantive inclusion and equality. women in this series of uprisings, however, dwarf their predecessors. That this female element in the Arab Spring has drawn so This is a time of great opportunity. Further empowering women little comment in the West suggests that in Libya – and, indeed, the rest of world - will bring fresh hope in our own narratives of, and preoccupations with, the Arab world—religion, funda- an unstable political region. The women that live in the Arab mentalism, oil and Israel—have blinded us Spring countries that continue to strive for peace and security at to the big social forces that are altering the local, national and international levels deserve nothing less. lives of 300 million people.

18 Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine Chitra Nagarajan is the Director of Gender Action for Peace AT THE TABLE, and Security NOT ON THE MENU Why you can’t build peace leaving half the people out By Chitra Nagarajan

o country is a model of perfection women, was able to engage all parties, are far less effective than those where Nwhen it comes to gender equality. easing tensions and promoting dialogue all within society are involved. Donald The reality of what power imbalances while ensuring the process moved Steinberg, former US ambassador to between women and men means in forward. Women for Human Rights in Angola, believes that “The exclusion of practice sharpens when looking at Nepal ensured the rights of widows, women and gender considerations from countries affected by violent conflict. a group particularly marginalised and the peace process proved to be a key Here, women experience sexual violence, vulnerable, were recognised in the factor in our inability to implement the displacement and torture but their needs, interim Nepali Constitution through Lusaka Protocol and in Angola’s return realities, experiences and perspectives their advocacy efforts. to conflict in 1998.” are often excluded from consideration. However, despite their crucial roles Despite recognition of women’s right in calling for and working towards to be fully included in peace and security peace, human rights and justice, women structures and in peace processes and are largely absent during formal peace post conflict governance in the form negotiations. In the past 25 years only one of human rights law and numerous "Despite their crucial in forty signatories to peace agreements resolutions passed by the Security has been a woman. Only 16% of peace Council, challenges remain. Family roles in calling for agreements concluded between 1990 commitments, communication and safety and 2010 mention women and many concerns play a part. Furthermore, the and working towards of these references contravene human prevailing view continues to be that, as rights. This is not a coincidence. There women do not make up the majority of peace, human rights is a link between participation, power those carrying the weapons, they have no and voice in politics, the economy and stake in being around the peace table and and justice, women culture, fulfillment of women’s human no influence that they can bring to bear. rights and fear of continuing violence. Issues around women, peace and security are largely absent Women experience conflict and its remain in the margins. aftermath differently from men and when However, the UK has been a during formal peace women are excluded, their needs are leader in this field, driving forward not identified, prioritised and allocated the agenda at the Security Council negotiations." resources. In Egypt, women were central and being one of the first countries to in the revolution, with virginity testing have a national action plan on women, of women activists in Tahrir used to peace and security. However, much oppress and intimidate, but have been more needs to be done to translate marginalised in decision-making since. rhetoric into reality. Gender Action for In contrast, the involvement of women Peace and Security works to strengthen As Kofi Annan, then United Nations civil society groups in peace processes government policy so it has further Secretary General, said, “For generations, has led to greater gender sensitivity in and lasting impact for women. Our No women have served as peace educators, peace agreements in Guatemala, Uganda women, no peace campaign calls for both in their families and in their and Burundi. Women have an equal leadership, coordination, investment societies. They have proved instrumental stake in building a durable peace and the and accountability around women’s in building bridges rather than walls.” potential to contribute to deliberative rights in conflict. No women, no peace Thousands of women mobilised onto the democratic processes in the same way as currently focuses on women’s rights in streets in Liberia demanding ‘peace and men. Women have the right to take part Afghanistan. At this crucial time, the UK no more war.’ The Women’s Mass Action in decision-making processes that will must take action to ensure women and for Peace was instrumental in bringing determine their future and that of their women’s rights are central to discussion the warring parties to the negotiating country. Furthermore, decision-making around transition in Afghanistan. For tables and its barricading of delegates in that is more representative, inclusive and peace to be meaningful, the end of meeting rooms led to mediators securing democratic is a more responsive process, conflict must mean the end of violence agreements and setting deadlines. The leading to better decisions and outcomes. for women and women must be Northern Ireland Women’s Coalition, Experience shows peace negotiations involved in decisions that shape their consisting of Catholic and Protestant and agreements that exclude women societies and their future.

Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine 19 Bethan Cansfield is Women's Human Rights Campaign Coordinator PEACE WITH JUSTICE at Amnesty International Women’s rights and the UK’s legacy in Afghanistan

By Bethan Cansfield

en years after the fall of the Taliban, Afghan women have good reason to The Afghan government and its inter- TAfghanistan is still considered by fear that their rights may be traded away national partners (including the UK gov- many to be one of the worst places in the in attempts to find a settlement with the ernment) must take the opportunities – for world to be a woman. While the plight of Taliban and insurgent groups. Despite instance at the upcoming Bonn Conference women and girls under the Taliban was constitutional guarantees, in recent years - to ensure Afghan women’s human rights one of the justifications frequently touted the Afghan government has appeared to are firmly on the agenda and that Afghan for the 2001 military intervention in Af- sacrifice women’s rights when it has been women fully and meaningfully participate ghanistan, the rhetoric to uphold the hu- politically expedient. In March 2009, in the Conference, and all other transition man rights of women and girls has not President Karzai signed the discrimina- and reconciliation processes. been matched with action. With a recon- tory Shi’a Personal Status Law. The pro- ciliation process that includes talks with posed law included provisions that would the Taliban firmly on the agenda - seem- have denied Shi’a women the rights to ingly without guarantees on human rights child custody and freedom of movement. - the promises made to Afghan women by In 2010 the Afghan government drafted "Included in the the international community are looking a regulation that attempted to move con- increasingly precarious, and the gains that trol of women’s shelters from independ- draft regulation were have been made by Afghan women and ent NGOs to the Ministry of Women’s girls are at risk. Affairs. Included in the draft regulation measures that would In many parts of Afghanistan, the Tali- were measures that would have curtailed ban continue to threaten and kill women women and girls’ freedom of move- have curtailed women who participate in political processes. ment, and imposed compulsory forensic Shinkai Karokhail, a female Afghan MP, told medical examinations on women and and girls’ freedom Amnesty International that “You can’t be an girls who may have been victims of vio- active woman in Afghanistan and not feel lence. Ensuring effective and appropri- of movement, and threatened. It is part of my daily life. I never ate measures are in place to protect girls know what is going to happen next.” Many and women from gender-based violence imposed compulsory other high profile women have been injured should be a priority of all governments, or killed, simply for defending women’s hu- yet the danger of government interfer- forensic medical man rights, or exercising their own rights. In ence has been highlighted by the Afghan April 2010 Nida Khyani (a female Provincial Women’s Network, who raised the case examinations on Council member) was left in a critical condi- of a 12-year-old girl from Shindand in tion after being attacked in a drive-by shoot- Herat who sought refuge in a shelter. women and girls who ing in Pul-e-Khumri, the provincial capital of Under pressure from a member of parlia- Baghlan in northern Afghanistan. ment, the girl was returned to her family, may have been victims Getting girls into school is high- who then killed her. lighted as a key achievement, but despite Despite the promises from Afghani- of violence." progress on this most crucial of human stan’s international supporters that wom- rights, education is threatened by the en’s rights would no longer be negotiable, on-going insecurity, and attacks against there are fears that they may de-prioritise girls’ education continue. The Afghan or overlook women’s rights as part of ActionAid, Amnesty International and Ministry of Education reported in 2010 an exit strategy from Afghanistan. The Fabian Women will be holding a joint event that 34% of schools in Helmand remain phrase ‘Afghan-led’ process has is often at the ‘Peace with closed due to insecurity, as do 61% of used by the international community to Justice? - Women’s rights, and the UK’s leg- schools in Kabul. There have been re- explain their lack of action in openly acy in Afghanistan’ on the 25th September at ports of acid thrown at pupils and teach- challenging the lack of women’s partici- 17.45. The event will be in an ‘in conversa- ers, and suspected poisonous gas attacks pation in the reconciliation process. Yet tion’ style event with a prominent journalist on girls’ schools. In May, the head women’s participation in formal peace and speakers include: , Shadow Teacher of a girls’ school near Kabul was processes is one crucial way to safeguard Secretary of State for Defence (invited); Sab- killed after allegedly receiving warnings the rights of women and girls, and to help rina Saqib, former Member of Afghan Par- and threats to stop teaching girls. to build a sustainable peace. liament, and MP.

20 Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine Claire Leigh is Treasurer of the Young Fabians and works LEADING THE WAY for ’s Africa IN AFRICA Governance Initiative Africa's new generation of women leaders By Claire Leigh

ifty years after independence, sub- The importance of ‘good governance’ State in 2005. But women increasingly hold FSaharan Africa continues to be an and state capacity-building is increasingly high-ranking government positions across epicentre of want, conflict and instability. acknowledged by the international the continent. Among the rising stars are The Millennium Development Goals, community. But for most this means Joice Nujuru, vice-President of Zimbabwe, which expire in 2015, will not be met in programmes to target corruption and Louise Mushikiwabo, the Minister of For- most cases. Delivery of essential public promote the rule of law. That matters, but eign Affairs in Rwanda, and Cisse Mariam services remains heavily reliant on it is not enough. Effective states require Kaidama Sidibe, the Prime Minister of international donors and NGOs, and here not just the absence of corruption but the Mali. And African women are rising to the in the UK we are assaulted daily by images presence of capacity. At the organisation I top of the major aid organisations as well. on TV of yet another coup, yet another work for, the Africa Governance Initiative, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala of Nigeria has re- civil war. we have a broader understanding of cently been appointed Managing Director Poverty and instability in Africa are governance that focuses on the internal of the World Bank and Asha-Rose Migiro among the most important and stubborn capacity of a state, its leaders and its civil of Tanzania is Deputy Secretary General at challenges of our time, interacting in service structures to deliver security, public the UN. a vicious cycle of underdevelopment. services and economic growth for its Efforts are also being made to en- International aid has been necessary but people. We work with committed leaders courage the next generation of young not sufficient as a response, and it is clear to develop this capacity. African women leaders. Michelle Obama that aid alone will not provide the way out recently travelled to South Africa to talk of poverty. WOMEN LEADING THE WAY to the first Young African Women Lead- ers Forum. As the First Lady told the 76 STATE FAILURE Early signs are encouraging. A new participants, the contribution women generation of African leaders is emerging will make to Africa’s leadership renais- But it doesn’t have to be like this. Nothing that understands the need to deliver on sance is not just as politicians or heads about the situation described above is election promises and of building state of aid organisations. Obama commented inevitable. As Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the institutions capable of doing so. And among that “true leadership — leadership that President of Liberia, has commented, the new generation are represented a small lifts families, leadership that sustains “Africa’s crisis is a failure of leadership and but growing number of women. communities and transforms nations — management. Sub-saharan Africa is rich in Ellen Johnson Sirleaf led the way by that kind of leadership rarely starts in resources, talent energy and spirit. But it becoming the first female African Head of palaces or parliaments.” has not been rich in leadership. It is made up of rich countries that have been poorly managed.” With a burgeoning middle Fabian Women's Network class, massive untapped resources and huge "Women Changing Politics" T-shirts and Mugs growth potential, Africa could be the single biggest success story of the 21st Century. As with all meaningful change, solutions to Africa’s problems must emerge from within, and be led and owned by Africans themselves. This is what the aid regime has hitherto failed to understand, that external assistance can never be a long-term solution, and can even become part of the problem. By circumventing African governments, aid organisations can weaken government institutions and emasculate elected leaders. What Africa For sale while stocks last! needs is strong capable states, headed T-shirts £9.50 each and mugs only £5 each by strong capable politicians and able to deliver key public goods and services. And To order, email [email protected] the rest of us need to support this objective.

Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine 21 Dr Allegretti is a senior researcher at Coimbra University and is cur- REAL rently working at the RESPONSIBILITY World Bank A masterclass in participatory budgets

from a world expert Interview : Dr Allegretti

1. Dr Allegretti, why are you at the 2. How do PBs bring communities are reduced, and they also become in- World Bank now? closer to the decision-making process? formal, social gatherings rather than se- rious-grey political meetings. This social A pertinent question, since my background Every phase of the process can use differ- aspect is very important in a society that has closer links to social movements and ent organizational models, provided that can foster loneliness. the World Social Forum. I encountered the the collective action strengthens the sustain- World Bank in 2008, when I was invited ability of the experience and the citizen-in- 5. Do you think women would benefit to train local authorities in South Africa stitution relationships. For example, almost from a more inclusive way of allocat- and Senegal. I realised then how important all Brazilian and Spanish PBs establish their ing money? What is your experience international institutions are to extending “rules” with the citizens and amend them of this? How do more disadvantaged PBs and cross-pollinating quality exam- every year to progressively better the pro- groups benefit from PBs? How do you ples. I like the World Bank’s double ap- cess. People consider this to be a guarantee ensure a democratic process in estab- proach: on one side it supplies knowledge of not being trapped in bureaucratic pitfalls lishing the priorities? to institutions, and on the other it meets created by others. the demands of civil society by supporting The central idea of PB is that of learn- Supporting women’s needs and empower- bottom-up engagement with local public ing by doing, rather than involving people ment through PB can be seen from vari- service problems. superficially through consultation. When ous perspectives, although I have to ad- people are just consulted on “what they mit that there is a lack of good research 2. Participatory Budgeting (PB) is feel they need”, they tend to produce a long on the issue. There is a paradox I notice about directly involving local people list of jumbled priorities, and then wait for in many cases: women are very reserved in making decisions on the spending elected officials to decide which ideas to components of PBs, but their presence is and priorities for a defined public use and which to ignore. People don’t feel very effective. A study at the Center for So- budget. Could you explain how this “co-responsible” when someone else makes cial Studies (CES) of Coimbra University - works in practice? decisions for them, and – regardless of the where I work – focuses on women’s contri- final funding decision – they often feel frus- bution to PB decision-making. Our prelim- I’ll try - even though that’s a big question, trated that their high expectations have not inary results show that – even in Portugal, given that there are some 1,400 PB expe- been fully met. The result is that they lose where society is still very patriarchal – the riences around the world, according to a interest in consultation processes. majority of priorities selected during PB 2010 report. Despite this plurality, all PBs PB, on the other hand, champions the sessions were proposed by women. Maybe apply 5 core principles. These are: explicit equation “satisfaction = results – expecta- this means that their proposals are more discussion of budgets; the involvement of tions”, so that people can feel represented holistic, integrated, realistic and attractive; local administrative power; regular meet- by decisions. Because of the transparency of it has to be further analysed. ings; public deliberation within specific PB decision-making, people go home after a Studies in Brazil show that women rep- forums; and finally accountability and PB public meeting knowing exactly which resent the majority of participants in PBs, feed-back on decisions and output. priorities were approved; their expectations but, when popular delegates are elected for Within these principles, different pro- will be realistic, and when the decisions are the process, the majority are always men. cesses can be used to build relationships implemented they will be satisfied. Even if quotas are imposed, it can be dif- with citizens. For instance, if you plan to ficult to find women who accept such an use the Internet as method for voting on 4. Aren’t people too busy to attend onus. This is mainly because all the high- spending priorities, think about what your meetings? engagement roles are too time-consuming goals are. If you aim – like Swedish PBs – for many women, who are already as- to develop social ties among citizens, it’s Yes and no. We live in an atomized, indi- signed an unfair multiplicity of roles and better not to use the web. Similarly, if you vidualistic society, and work increasingly tasks by society. Many PBs tried to break want to foster socially inclusive decision- dominates our time; it’s not easy for peo- this asymmetry through women-friendly making, you must facilitate workshops for ple to make time for discussing collective initiatives, for instance creating special small groups of citizens to attend. The co- matters if not strongly motivated to do meeting schedules, offering babysitting herence between goals and means is what so. More and more, PBs’ organisers un- services, providing internet connections make PBs successful, but it’s important to derstand that people’s time is precious, so to those with little spare time, or creating recognize that specific techniques are es- they avoid demanding too much involve- thematic groups where participants can be sential for creating their secondary benefits. ment. Thus, the number of key PB events more at ease.

22 Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine Examples of the latter case exist in development practices. That also explains several African rural village PBs, where why the name “PB” is not much used as About the Fabian Society groups of women – as well as of young a primary definition, and names like “U- people, ethnic minorities or the elderly Choose”, “U-decide” are preferred. The Fabian Society has played a central – have been created, with the objective Though I think that PBs are a positive role for more than a century in the de- of challenging the cultural exclusions at challenge to the UK’s traditional politi- velopment of political ideas and public work in society. As the European project cal culture, the mushrooming of over 40 policy on the left of centre. Analysing “INCLUIR: PB as a mean of fighting so- almost-PBs creates three risks. The first the key challenges facing the UK and cial and territorial exclusion” demon- risk is that reserves of money will become the rest of the industrialised world in a strated, inclusiveness can’t be reached insignificant and unable to implement changing society and global economy, unless specific measures help fulfil this strategy beyond a superficial level. The the society's programme aims to ex- goal. If we consider the “republican way” second risk involves using PBs to out- plore the political ideas and the policy of approaching PB – i.e. putting different source problem-solving to communities reforms which will define progressive citizens all together in a single assembly, without challenging the political culture politics in the new century. The society and supposing that this increases the level of institutions. is unique among think-tanks in being a of democracy - we may discover that all The third and biggest risk I see is democratically-constituted membership the injustices and asymmetries of society that the expanding myth of the “Big So- organisation. It is affiliated to the Labour have been reproduced in that room. To ciety” - and its counter-twin the “Good Party but is editorially and organisation- challenge exclusion we must create means Society” - is being used to fill gaps caused ally independent. Associate member- to empower the disadvantaged. by spending cuts. What will this army of ship of the Fabian Society is open to volunteers, that the government rheto- all, regardless of political persuasion. 6. What do you think should be the at- ric evokes, do? It seems that the smaller The Society has approx 7000 members titude of progressive parties in Europe charities that coordinate volunteer com- of which around 2000 are women. on PBs? mitments are despairing over the cuts. After all, volunteers need training and To join, visit our website www.fabians. I think they should support PB experi- support, and if they don’t receive it they org.uk or contact membership officer ences, and remember that they aren’t just can simply leave. Giles Wright on 020 7227 4904 or giles. for facilitating government in a period of Imagining an effective participatory [email protected] scarcity - even if they can serve for that culture free of costs is very childish, and too! They should also remember that PBs it will result in frustration and interrupt- About the Fabian Women's are meant to redistribute powers in so- ed projects. For communities to benefit Network ciety, create more civic awareness of the from PBs, they must feature investment complexities of governance, and raise civ- in training, even if they are intended to The Fabian Women’s Network was il influence on public institutions. manage scarce resources. I hope that the launched in January 2005 and is I realize that this isn’t an easy task. In UK National Association of Local Coun- run by a committee of volunteers. fact, I think that parties (and all power cils (NALC) conference’s PB meetings this It is part of the voluntary section of structures) are inert; they do not relin- autumn will be able to clarify this point to the Fabian Society, alongside local quish power easily and mistrust anything those in government that dream of deliv- Societies and the Young Fabians. The that could threaten their autonomy. That’s ering state functions to volunteers with- Fabian Women’s Network aims to why I believe more in people: all the inter- out carefully organising, training, moti- bring people together to: esting PB experiences I know of owe their vating and coordinating them. survival to people who believed in them Create a thriving network for social and and fought against their colleagues and 3. In the UK the Conservatives are political change. parties to make it a sustainable process making enormous cuts to councils for citizens to engage with. and public services. How do you see Connect Fabian networks with Fabian it from your experience since PB was Women Parliamentarians. 7. What do you see looking at the UK? pioneered in Porto Alegre? When do PBs work? Provide new ways in which women I see a battlefield of contradictions - I’ll from all backgrounds and sectors can try to explain. Unfortunately the UK situation is not engage in topical policy debate. When I last came to the UK I noticed unique. Except rare cases (like Brazil), we a wave of enthusiasm for home-grown are helping many countries with strong The Network has held a number of high versions of PB, which were often based cuts at a local level, whilst central govern- profile receptions and policy discus- on participatory grant-making and imple- ment bureaucracy escapes them. Undoubt- sions and regularly works with voluntary mented many different methods. All of the edly, PBs can help to manage scarcity, but sector organisations on areas including projects shared a common aim: fostering they can’t serve as an emollient for reduced women and pensions, women and work community decision-making to distribute local public spending. They were never in- and family related policy. Speakers at public funds. Whilst other countries used tended to; they were conceived as a way to events have included Cabinet Minis- the PB concept to create a break from old revitalise citizen-institution relationships ters, Ministers, representatives from methods, my impression in the UK is that through re-politicising the budget, not as a leading charities or agencies, business, PB gives new shape to existing community tool to serve institutions’ interests. academics and media.

Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine 23 FABIAN WOMEN’S NETWORK AT LABOUR PARTY CONFERENCE IN LIVERPOOL

Peace with Justice? The UK’s legacy in Afghanistan Hosted by ActionAid, Amnesty International and the Fabian Women’s Network

Sunday 25th September 2011 17.45 - 19.15 ACC-BT-Convention Centre, Concourse fringe room 9 (secure zone) Speakers: Chair: Anushka Asthana (Journalist), Sabrina Saqig (former member of the Afghan parliament), Anas Sarwar MP (MP for Glasglow Central, International Development Committee), Jim Murphy MP ( tbc) (Shadow Secretary of State for Defence)

The debate will reflect on women’s status in Afghan society ten years on from the UK’s military involvement in Afghanistan, and what will happen to women’s rights as the international community turns its focus to the transition process.

SHOULD WOMEN WELCOME OR REJECT BLUE LABOUR? Come and join us for this exciting fringe event which will debate the impact of Blue Labour on women’s progress. The event is free and open to all.

Monday 26th September 2011 7pm - 8pm (6.45 for a 7pm start) West Reception Hall, Liverpool Town Hall

Speakers: Helen Goodman MP, Marc Stears (IPPR/Oxford University), Ivana Bartoletti (Editor, Fabiana) Chair: Seema Malhotra (Director, Fabian Women’s Network)

LABOUR PARTY NATIONAL WOMEN'S CONFERENCE National Women’s Conference will bring together hundreds of women from across the Labour Movement. This is your opportunity to hear from high profile speakers, get involved in training and workshops, and meet other women from across the country.

Saturday 24 September Main Conference 11am – 6pm

Sunday 25 September Training and workshops for women members throughout the day, followed by the Women’s Reception 7 - 8:30pm.

Venue: Labour Party Annual Conference, Secure Zone, ACC Liverpool

To register or for more information please contact Sarah Mulholland, Labour Party National Equalities Officer on [email protected].

24 Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine