fabiana ISSUE # 2 The Fabian Women's Network Magazine WINTER 2012
Labour and Feminism Side by side Ed Miliband
The welfare state we're in with views from Sweden and the Fawcett Society
plus Seema Malhotra Torbjörn Hållö Potential energy Deborah Mattinson The economy Helen Wells needs more women Marc Stears Shadow Minister Chi Onwurah Laura Nelson Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine Fabiana winter 2012
Fabiana is the magazine of the Fabian Women’s Network (FWN). The articles represent the views of the writers only Contents and not the collective view oF FWN. Editorial 3 Ivana Bartoletti Politics must catch up with 4 the power of women Editor: Ivana Bartoletti Seema Malhotra MP Sub-editor: Suki Ferguson Side by Side 5 Designed by: jamesenglishdesign.com Ed Miliband MP Illustrations: www.daddoillustrations.com Stick to your guns, Fabiana 6 Deborah Mattinson 'Gender justice, society and 7 FWN Director: Seema Malhotra the state' roundtable Email: [email protected] Laura Nelson and Suki Ferguson Twitter: @FabianWomen Website: http://www.fabianwomen.co.uk Feminism and 'the State' 8-9 Monica Threlfall Lessons from Sweden 9-10 Fabian Society General Secretary: Andrew Harrop Interview with Torbjörn Hållö Fabian Society membership: Giles Wright 020 7227 4904 Hamleys sees the light 10 Eleanor Shember Critchley Politics starts in our daily life 11 Young Fabians (under 31s): www.youngfabians.org.uk Marc Stears Young Fabian Women: Claire Leigh, [email protected] Change the culture of the 12 welfare state Reema Patel Fabian Women’s Network Why we must rehabilitate 13 c/o Fabian Society the State in Europe 11 Dartmouth Street Ernst Stetter London SW1H 9BN What's next for the welfare 14 Telephone: 020 7227 4900 Fax: 020 7976 7153 state? Interview with Hilary Cottam Gender impact assessment: 15 fwn Committee not so taxing after all Felicity Slater Seema Malhotra – Director Time to release the UK's 16-17 Emma Carr – Secretary potential energy Johanna Baxter – Union Liaison Interview with Shadow Minister Laura Nelson – Head of Communications Chi Onwurah MP Christine Megson – Mentoring Scheme Co ordinator The power gap 18 Sarah Hutchinson – Researcher and Website Preethi Sundaram Emma Burnell – Events Manager Why women and profits 19 Ivana Bartoletti – Editor, Fabiana magazine rise together Jessica Asato – Events and Social Media Helen Wells Amina Lone – Fabian Women’s Network North Ditch Wonderwoman 20 Carolina Lindhal – Research and Membership Interview with Liz Nelson OBE Alex Kemp – Research and Events Making new citizens 21 Nina Champion – Events Umut Urel Claire Hickson – Events Where is the voice of real 22-23 Claire Leigh – Research and Mentoring Scheme outrage? Christine Quigley – Young Fabian Women liaison Sara Hamilton
Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine Welcome to the second issue Ivana Bartoletti, of Fabiana! Editor
am delighted that our launch issue There is little doubt that an effi- progressive agenda. We also look at I met with such great success at the cient and functioning State is essential women in the company boardroom: Labour Party Conference in September, for women: from childcare to support Shadow Minister for Innovation Chi and elsewhere! when out of work, from healthcare to legal Onwurah explains what the UK has to Progress is under threat as assistance to escape violence and abuse, gain by boosting women's presence at all women bear the brunt of the Tory-led a strong State has proved to be the way levels, especially in science and innova- Government’s reckless choices. We are forward not only to women’s emancipation tion; and Helen Walls makes a strong now seeing women being pushed out of but to economic growth as well. Institute business case for equal participation of the workforce, their income being driven of Fiscal Studies says that between women in boardrooms. down, while cuts to legal aid undermine 1968 and 2009, over a quarter of all growth The new year will be a strug- their access to justice and make them in household wealth came from women gle for so many. Contrary to what the more vulnerable to violence. working, compared with 8% from men: this Government claims, we are not all in this A clear sign of just how out of means that women in the UK have been together. Remuneration at the top soars touch the Tories are with most men and the main driver of the rise in living whilst cuts and stagnation afflict the women’s lives was Labour’s by-election standards over the last 40 years. middle and lower paid jobs. There is a real win at Feltham and Heston on the 15th This is why cuts to welfare are outcry for fairness out there which needs of December, with an 8.6% swing from a threat not only to women, but to the to be listened to. the Conservatives. How satisfying whole economy. Fabiana is at the forefront and inspiring for Fabiana readers If Labour constructs a new vision of the debate on how we build a new that the woman who comfortably of the state with women at its heart, progressive, reformist and winning alli- held the Labour seat was Seema it will be a better designed State, able ance in this country, knowing it can only Malhotra, Director of the Fabian to develop services rooted in a new be achieved with a powerful women’s Women’s Network! partnership between the centre and the presence and the clarity of a feminist I am very pleased Ed Miliband communities, and able to unlock all the lens. So I really hope that all of you is using Fabiana to deliver his vital untapped economic potential of the UK. readers, women and men, will put some message on why women are so central, In this issue, Deborah Mattin- of your personal energy into Fabiana, why Labour wants to walk side by side son explains why we need Fabiana, and add your voice and pass Fabiana on to with feminism, and how the party’s why we need women driving a strong, new readers. proud history of fighting for women is driving its ambitions for this country and its women now. Fabian Women's Network I am utterly convinced a new "Women Changing Politics" T-shirts and Mugs agenda for progressives needs to have women at its very heart, which is why this issue explores a theme very dear to women, the role of the State - and how to create a platform for equality through a new vision of the State. The Fabian Women's Network, together with IPPR and Cambridge Institute of Gender Studies, organ- ised a seminar on Gender Justice, Soci- For sale while stocks last! ety and the State, which you can catch T-shirts £9.50 each and mugs only £5 each up on here. Plus a variety of points of view are advanced on the State, includ- ing that of economist Torbjörn Hållö, To order, email [email protected] of the Swedish Trade Union, LO. or just visit our stall at the Fabian Conference on January 14th
Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine 3 Seema Malhotra, Director of FWN and MP Politics must catch for Feltham and Heston up with the power of women Says new MP Seema Malhotra By Seema Malhotra
n December 16th I received an email vote, or to refuse to say. For me, there is a tionship; when parties become distant, Ofrom the FWN website team saying, fundamental need to reform our politics voters may well change allegiance. This is “List of Fabian women MPs duly updated.” so it is, and feels, more closely connected an issue as much for men as for women in The reality of what had just happened to voters,. This was reinforced by my time the party to be concerned about. finally sank in – the whirlwind of the previ- on the doorstep during November and On the doorstep, when women ous three weeks was over – and a new role December. It is not that women don’t care, were undecided and we talked about local for me was about to begin. It is a real honour but that there is often not an obvious con- issues – youth unemployment, drugs, to have been elected as the new Member nection in their minds between what they women’s safety on the streets, to name of Parliament for Feltham and Heston, the care about and a cross on the ballot paper. a few – what made a difference was not area where I grew up and have spent so just about the handling of a specific issue, much of my life. My heartfelt thanks go to "Women’s votes will more but also about my identity: a woman from so many Fabian men and women who came their area who was the only woman on the to help in the by-election and in the process, likely follow when there is a ballot paper on a list of nine candidates. contributed to an increase in the number of It was clear to me that if I was to win, women and ethnic minorities in Parliament. genuine relationship; when I would have to think about my style of I was ‘introduced’ in the House politics in order to keep the women in the of Commons (as is the practice after a parties become distant, voters constituency involved in my work as their by-election) by Fiona Mactaggart MP representative; to have a plan for ongoing and Steve Pound MP on December 19th may well change allegiance. engagement, not just for the election. and swore in, in the presence of fellow Over the next few months, I’ll be parliamentarians. The next day I sat on the This is an issue as much for working on that. I will be taking the oppor- green benches for Nick Clegg’s Deputy tunity to experiment a little, applying the Prime Minister’s questions. I was left men as for women in the party principles of running a women’s network excited by the possibilities of Parliament out in the constituency and setting up and humbled by its history and grandeur. I to be concerned about." some structures to hear more clearly the was also struck by its complexity, and the voices of women in our political discourse. challenges of achieving real change in our This does speak to a deep chal- That means women in business, women in political and social life. lenge for our politics that is a good point public services, women in the community In the few weeks of the by-elec- of reflection as we enter the new year. – because whether we choose to see it or tion, another story was unfolding. The ICM Politics, like other forms of public service, not, women are leaders and opinion form- poll for the Sunday Telegraph published needs to transform itself into being a ers at almost every level. the week before Christmas suggested process about a relationship, not just a In order to engage, it is the culture that during December, the Tories had transaction. Women’s votes will more of our institutions and processes that clawed back some of the lead Labour had likely follow when there is a genuine rela- need to change. established amongst women voters over the last 18 months. One poll is of course not a trend – but it was a reminder of how quickly opinion can change, how women’s votes remain a battleground and how important it is that all political parties stay focused on getting communications and policies right for women. The ICM poll suggested a small lead for the Conservatives among women voters certain to vote (43% vs 39% for Labour), but also showed that women are more likely than men (25% vs 19%) to say they don’t know how they are going to
4 Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine Ed Miliband, Leader of the Labour Party Side by Side Ed Miliband on why Labour fights
By Seema Malhotra hardest for women By Ed Miliband
omen's votes remain a battleground. WWhile Labour has had the lead here for most of the last 18 months, we know there is still plenty to do to make sure we keep it. Let’s be clear: the Labour Party is better placed than it has ever been to fight the Tories on this ground because of the strength of our women politicians and campaigners. Labour has more women MPs than all other political parties put together. We have more women than ever before in the Shadow Cabinet – just short of 50%. Those women will ensure that what we offer for the future are concrete answers to the
kind of dilemmas and difficulties that ordi- Ed Miliband and new MP Seema Malhotra nary people face in their lives. Labour did much in government to I know there has been increasing concern "Fabiana is so important because improve women’s lives – and that didn’t recently that the national political debate, happen by accident. It was because of despite the progress made by our party, the more space there is for the bold decisions we as a party made to continues to be dominated by male voices. promote women. It helped us change the All male panels at think tank seminars and women, the better for our party, political debate and what had been seen as TV programmes where (if you are lucky) one marginal issues like childcare and parental women is asked on to tell the rest of the men our politics and our country." leave have become central. “what women think”, are still tragically too We made big steps towards break- common in our political discourse. sector, where a larger proportion of women ing down barriers, with legislation on paid The persistence and determina- are employed. There are now more women maternity leave, pensions, childcare ben- tion of Labour women, particularly of the out of work than at any time since 1988. Two- efits, carers’ allowances and by equalizing Fabian Women’s Network, to change this thirds of cuts in tax credits and benefits are the amount of unpaid leave each parent can state of affairs is something I admire and coming directly from women’s pockets. The take after the birth of their child. know will continue. As party leader I offer government is choosing to make women And the fight continues. It is why my strongest support to those helping pay a higher price than men for their failed earlier this year we campaigned against make that change happen. attempts to cut the deficit. changes in pensions that would hit women The government’s own approach Yet in the Autumn statement, of the unfairly. Labour is now campaigning for to women is testament to what happens £18bn of cuts George Osborne announced, a living wage which will predominantly when women are excluded from discus- £15bn will fall on women and children. They benefit women, who make up most of the sions on the basics. A promise to introduce never learn, because they do not listen. workforce paid less than £7 an hour. anonymity for those accused of rape was That is why I am determined to see Any sensible politician has to have just the first of many gaffes. The economic greater progress in the advancement of a view on how they would deal with such assault on women would be jaw-dropping women in our movement, in the trade unions, issues: that is how we as a party, but most if it wasn’t so predictable. as councillors, in Europe and in parliament. particularly Labour women, have changed the The government has been warned. From the struggle for suffrage, to way politics is discussed. And we have made Research by the Fawcett Society and twenty the Sex Discrimination Act, to the minimum change happen. other leading organisations has warned that wage and women trade unionists battling And that is why Fabiana is so cuts to women’s jobs, as well as to their ben- for equal pay, the Labour Party has fought important. Because the more space there is efits and services, are creating the “great- side by side with the women’s movement. for women to be heard and to debate policy est risk to their financial security in living I’m proud of that history, but I want us to be and politics, the better for our party, the better memory.” In the three months to June this ambitious too. Thank you Fabiana, for being for our politics and the better for our country. year, 111,000 jobs were lost from the public part of that ambitious future.
Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine 5 Deborah Mattinson Stick to your guns, Founder of BritainThinks Fabiana Gender equality won’t happen if women don’t have a voice By Deborah Mattinson
K, I’ll be honest. When I mentioned Yet voters and media alike tend to resist The business case for seniorwomen Othat I was writing a piece for a new the all women shortlists that will ensure is powerful. The consultants McKinsey found magazine called Fabiana, the reaction more women are selected to run for that workplaces with more women in top jobs wasn’t always what I might have hoped. parliament (61% of the public oppose did better on leader-ship, accountability and It included the odd raised eyebrow, even and 22% support all women shortlists). innovation. Theyalso made more money. a few sniggers. Women’s activism is so Labour, knowing that only taking this Our BritainThinks survey shows last year – so last decade, even. step will guarantee change, was pre- that 60% agree that male-dominated boards Last November I co-signed a letter pared to defy public opinion - but David ignore the talent of half of the population; to the Guardian complaining about another Cameron remains timid.16% of Conserv- 62% agree that women on the board serve think tank inviting me to a meeting to hear ative MPs are women, compared with their female customers more effectively, an all male panel discuss whether Twitter Labour’s 31%. Overall, women are now and 59% agree that women improve boards had opened up policy-making to the wider 22% of the House of Commons, 22% of by bringing different perspectives and public. Ironic, no? I reflected then that the House of Lords and 22% of the Cabi- working practices. there had been a time when ‘a woman on net. Progress is painfully slow. Of those polled, 64% agree that rules every platform’ was so instilled in those must change so that either parent can use engaged in public life that it would have "At the current rate of progress, maternity leave, 60% agree that businesses been hard to imagine this happening – should advertise top jobs as part time or flex- people would tick that box quite mechanis- gender balance in the boardroom ible, and 57% think that companies should tically. Not perfect - but it worked, sort of. publish data about their appointment pro- A week later, Guardian journal- will not be achieved in my career cesses and numbers of senior women. ist Kira Cochrane published a startling Yet only 46% agree that FTSE com- analysis of male domination of the media. or even my daughter's. It will panies should set out a target for women A laborious count of national press by-lines on their boards, only 40% agree that the top revealed an 80% male 20% female split take another seventy years. 100 companies should commit to a mini- across the board. The Today Programme mum of 25% women by 2015 and just 37% contributor scores were 83.5% male against There is reluctance to intervene support using quotas. At the current rate of 16.5% female, while Question Time and Any progress, gender balance in the boardroom Questions fared little better at 66%/34% to bring about real change. And will not be achieved in my career – or even and 63%/37% respectively. Comedy cur- that of my 21-year old daughter. It will take rent affairs show, Have I Got News For You if we do not consciously set another seventy years. (HIGNFY) was the biggest man-ghetto at Despite widespread recognition 92% male, 8% female (as of course, women out to make change, the danger of senior women’s positive effect there just aren’t funny). remains reluctance to intervene to bring As politicians chase the women’s is that leaving it to chance about real change. Meanwhile, as Kira vote, representation of women in poli- Cochrane’s scary media survey shows, tics has also come under scrutiny. Poll- means we prop up the wholly women are all but disappearing from pub- ing shows voters think that having more lic view. My thinktank invitation to hear women MPs had a positive effect on unsatisfactory status quo." blokes talk about Twitter highlights the the last Labour government. The media real issue here – if we do not consciously sneered at the iconic ‘Blair’s babes’ Achieving more women in cor- set out to make change, the danger is that photograph, often focusing on the new porate life poses a similar dilemma. leaving it to chance means we prop up the women MPs’ looks: “Who will save the The Davies report recognized the prob- wholly unsatisfactory status quo. utterly dowdy class of ’97 from years of lem, but stopped short of quotas. Brit- So Fabiana, that’s your brief. Let brightly coloured polyester?” shrieked the ainThinks’ recent polling tells us 51% them snigger - as HIGNFY knows,women Times. However, women in focus groups believe it is important that businesses lack a sense of humour – but stick to your saw them as a symbol of a fresh approach work to get more senior women – of those guns. We need more women in corpo- to politics – a politics that they might just in favour, 64% were women, but only 38% rate and public life. To make that happen, want to be part of. were men. women need a voice.
6 Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine In December last year, IPPR, the Fabian Women’s Network Gender justice, and the Cambridge Institute of Gender Studies held a morning of roundtable discussions for academics, campaigners and society and policy leaders to share their thoughts on feminism in its modern iteration. Speakers included Hilary Wainwright, Anne the state Phillips, Beatrix Campbell, Jonathan Rutheford, Rahila Gupta and Clare Chambers. By Deborah Mattinson
This doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t basic relation between men and women is Laura Nelson, blogger, writer and senior be criticising the state and suggesting ways inherently “interdependent and asymmetrical” manager in a healthcare charity it can do its job better. The third speaker, and that a gender-neutral common good Hilary Wainwright, co-editor of Red Pepper, should be the goal of politics, even if it is said that redistribution of state resources is “always incomplete, always contested.” what’s needed: “resources have been allo- The Cambridge Gender Institute’s cated top down.” The state is also necessary Clare Chambers offered a more specifically for legislation. feminist critique of neo-liberalism, but she Laura Nelson And the more women enter parlia- chimed with Rutherford’s central observation – he first session of the day posed the ment and business, the more these discus- that it has failed as a leveller between the sexes. Tquestion that has preoccupied women sions can take place. Fiona Mactaggart She summed up the two key issues relating to greatly over the last year: simply, have we MP, who took part in the discussion, said: neo-liberal feminism as “the fetishism of choice reached the limits of the state in advancing “Having women in parliament makes a huge and the prison of biology.” As she pointed out, gender justice? difference. Suddenly, we are having conver- “patriarchal ideology in Western liberal society The consensus in the room was that sations about topics like child poverty.” insists that both women and men are inevitably Blue Labour is still not entirely understood, different - so much so that inequality can be despite being much talked about; and at the Suki Ferguson, premised on biological difference. writer and editor who same time, the Big Society has been just specialises in politics “But there is also this idea that any another big confusion - another vague con- and film. Suki is the sub- injustice from that inequality can be mitigated editor of Fabiana. cept that does not seem to have a clear plan by the liberal capitalist focus on individual for implementation. What we do know about choice. The result, in this story, is that gender Blue Labour and Big Society is that they inequality becomes inevitable but unproblem- propose a shrunken state and place a great atic. So a situation can now be unequal without deal of emphasis on the family. But the risk, Suki Ferguson being unjust, so long as we attribute the inequal- it was agreed, is this: if we rely too much on ity to the choices of those involved.” the family and its associated traditions and he second roundtable of the day brought Unfortunately for women, capitalist practices, women remain in their inferior Ttogether people from varied schools of culture was constructed by men - and so role in society. thought to talk about neo-liberalism and “the ideal worker and the ideal mother will The state is essential for women. feminism. Was feminism assisted or dam- never be compatible within the existing Indeed, nothing else will help to achieve gen- aged by the neo-liberal project? And what capitalist framework.” der equality. This, it transpired, was the main now for feminism, if neo-liberalism contin- Rahila Gupta noted that the neo-liberal answer to the question of whether equality ues to fall from favour? mixing of vague politics with pop-culture con- relies on the state. Although the speakers invited to cepts like ‘girl power’ weakened feminism’s The state has the power to redirect discuss this topic couldn’t agree on when – if clout for some time. “It was at that point that resources. “It is hard to see how anything ever - the neo-liberal era might near an end, neo-liberalism represented the archetypal other than government can achieve that,” there was agreement upon how women had appropriation of the feminist agenda, shorn of said Anne Phillips, Professor of Political and been affected by this economic outlook in all its political context – and that was when the Gender Theory at LSE, and one of the speak- recent years. One-time Blue Labour proponent neo-liberal and feminist projects converged.” ers on the panel. She pointed out that care Jonathon Rutherford (now agnostic) started But, she went on, that was another is an important example - “The government off by noting neo-liberalism’s paradoxical trap- era, and now feminists are fighting back. has accepted responsibility for education, ping of “millions of women in the double shift “Resistance is important” she concluded. but we have hardly moved in the issue of of low paid work and caring obligations” whilst “The only reason we are where we are now is provision of care.” simultaneously freeing women from financial because of it.” She pointed out that although Journalist and author Beatrix Camp- dependency on men, and from the biological women pay a high price for being politicised, bell, another speaker, agreed. “Women and imperative of pregnancy. However, control it works - and it will work again now, particu- feminism need state welfare. That is where over pregnancy was the only biological equal- larly at a time like this, as “we are witnessing we find our voice, find our support and can ity that neo-liberalism provided for women an implosion of liberalism” – after all, “people mitigate inequalities.” in Rutherford’s view; he maintained that the are tired of being trickled down on.”
Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine 7 Monica Threlfall, Reader in European Politics at London Metropolitan Feminism University and‘the State’
A love-hate relationship? By Monica Threlfall
Feminism has long had a love-hate relation- with increased welfare provisions such as parties decided to capture branches of the ship with the state, at least in democratic child allowances. Such government reforms state administration in order to implement countries. The liberal feminism of the First were supported by the liberal- and socialist- equality policies. After all, if you can’t beat Wave believed in the power of parliaments feminist wings of the burgeoning women’s them, join them. Successful persuasion of to improve the lot of women and saw law movements. Yet some saw the welfare state political elites gave rise to new state institu- reform, i.e. the call on the reasonableness itself (‘public patriarchy’) as oppressive to tions – women’s policy agencies or ministerial of men in power, as the way to make steps women and socially controlling because it committees – in charge of extensive reform towards equality. The extraordinarily unrea- maintained the male breadwinner model of in all areas of the public administration and sonable arguments against giving women family (see Wilson, MacIntosh). And Marxist in civil society institutions as well (see the the vote and the obstacles put up during feminists continued to develop critiques of comparative studies by Amy Mazur and the the suffrage campaigns did not deter them. capitalism as a system, arguing that no thor- international RNGS team). Though mislead- Eleanor Rathbone first called for Family ough and general end to the subordination of ingly called ‘state feminism’, they were Allowances in 1919, but it took until 1945 for women could be achieved within the limits of dependent on the whims of the government of the act to be passed. Thus the beginnings capitalist exploitation (see Barrett). the day. Thus the French agencies kept chang- of the welfare state were associated, along ing their shape and powers only to disappear with unemployment compensation, with "It is an alarming fact that completely. Most of their reforms were so measures for mothers and their children in poorly implemented, they were dismissed as poor families – whether natalist in intention most of what women want ‘symbolic’ (see Mazur). Today under Sarkozy, or truly helpful. Ever since, child benefit paid the French government can hardly be bothered directly to every mother by ‘the state’ whether cannot be obtained through even to address ‘the family’, and our Conserv- central or regional, remains widely popular. ative-Liberal coalition abolished the Women’s But the Second Wave feminists of the money or freedom alone. National Commission against the wishes of UK 1960s attacked patriarchy as a social system women’s advocacy organisations. of domination (see Walby) and the gender- The reason is that our social The third broad turn towards the state, class system (see Eisenstein) in which the clearly visible from the 1990s onwards, was the state was complicit in upholding male power. and economic system has worldwide feminist demand for presence in Male power was to be countered through national parliaments, a clear contrast to earlier women raising their own awareness of their no solution for society’s feminist distrust in male-led state bodies. This oppression; by unpicking the obfuscating has been both reliant on governments initiating intricacies of male domination around sexual ubiquitous need for care." and parliaments passing legislation requiring liberation, abortion, rape and pornography; parties to field certain minimum proportions and articulating a general condemnation Nonetheless there followed a long of female and male candidates, and reliant on of the capitalist system, which required drawn out turn towards the ‘really-existing parties adopting rules on gender-balance for an ‘ultimate revolution’ (see Firestone) or state’ - as one could call it. Three facets stand their internal elective bodies and be willing a ‘long revolution’ (see Mitchell). A new out. First came the turn towards regarding to see them implemented in the context of sexual politics was to replace it. Such was the series of European welfare states in varying electoral systems (see Dahlerup). the distrust of the state that despite calls for varying stages of development as key for Clearly then, feminism has already equal rights, both Germaine Greer and Betty women’s welfare. The depth of transforma- spent many decades engaging with state Friedan envisaged a conceptual and societal tions in Scandinavia under social democratic institutions in order to obtain policy reform ‘sex-role revolution’ of altered grass-roots governments led to a posi tive evaluation of and new measures to buttress gender equal- counter-hegemonic practices. what public intervention could do for women ity. Extensive public policy areas - areas that By contrast, the 1970s can be seen and children, with Swedish feminists hailing dominate women’s quality of life – are wholly as the decade in which individual states, the advent of the ‘woman-friendly state’ (see or mainly dependant on public services and chiefly but not exclusively European social Hernes), friendly to women both as clients measures, starting with children’s education, democracies, addressed the need to rebal- and as public sector employees. equal pay, paid leave, accessible health care, ance gender inequality in law and the labour The second move towards engaging anti-discrimination laws, and legal protection market, as the well-known Sex Equality with the really-existing state happened when from a wide range of acts of violation of their and Equal Pay laws were ushered in along politically active liberal women from various physical integrity including intimate partner
8 Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine abuse, forced marriage and rape in marriage. kidnapping or extortion – all of them lucrative This article's sources include: Barrett, Women’s well-being is extraordinarily private sector activities conducted virtually Michèle (1980) Women's Oppression Today: dependant on public policy and public inter- exclusively by a minority of deviant men. Problems in Marxist-feminist Analysis, Verso. vention, well-implemented and sustained It is an alarming fact that most of Dahlerup, Drude (2005) Women, Quotas and over time, and supported by complex statu- what women want cannot be obtained Politics, Routledge. Eisenstein, Zillah (1979) tory public systems – not just education and through money or freedom alone. The ed, Capitalist Patriarchy and the Case for health but criminal justice, social services, reason is that our social and economic Socialist Feminism, MonthlyReview Press. By Monica Threlfall disability support, eldercare, public housing, system has no solution for society’s ubiqui- Firestone, Shulamith (1970/71) The dialectic homelessness protection, child protection, tous need for care. Why is childcare still not of Sex: the case for feminist revolution, law-enforcement and the penal system, made easy? Why are nurseries, sheltered Jonathon Cape. Friedan, Betty (1963) The employment tribunals, public media, and homes, care homes, never affordable as Feminine Mystique, (1997) Beyond Gender: the myriad local authority schemes for a privately purchased commodity unless The New Politics of Work and Family, Wood- children-friendly parks and playgrounds. subsidised in some way? The market has so row Wilson Center Press. Greer, Germaine There is already plenty of experience of far found no real solution – its short-term (1970) The Second Sex. Hernes, Helga (1987) how regulation serves to defend us from answer, to solve the labour-intensity of care Welfare State and Woman Power: Essays any abuse by private or public contractors problem by importing cheaper workers who in State Feminism, Aschehoug AS. Mazur, for such services – and the point is: only are paid beneath a living wage is of course Amy & McBride Stetson, Dorothy (1995) eds, a strong accountable state can regulate not a true ‘market’ solution, and is morally Comparative State Feminism, Sage. Mazur, effectively for our optimal quality of life. questionable as well as unsustainable in Amy (1995) Gender Bias and the State: Thus, making such essential institu- the long run. Symbolic Reform at Work in Fifth Republic tions work efficiently and fairly must be As feminists we have to take on France, University of Pittburg Press. Mitchell, an overriding concern for all women. After board the key intractable issue of the care Juliet (1966) The Longest Revolution, New all, it is not as if women obtain quality of deficit and summon everybody, including England Free Press. Randall, Vicky & Waylen, life from basing their identity on making men – all of whom have parents and most Georgina, eds, Gender, Politics and the State, millions in banks, becoming captains of of whom have children - to love the efficient Routledge. Showstack Sassoon, Anne (1987) polluting industries, obtaining profits from and accountable public institutions we ed, Women and the State, Hutchinson Educa- arms manufacture and trading, conduct- already have. And, yes, to love our public tion. Walby, Sylvia, Theorising Patriarchy, ing wars, leading gangs, smuggling drugs realm, while thinking energetically about Blackwell. Wilson, Elizabeth (1977) Women and people, or living off robbery, fraud, improving its defects. and the Welfare State, Routledge.
Torbjörn Hållö, Trade union Reforming the economist (LO), Sweden State
Lessons from Sweden By Torbjörn Hållö
What are the principles that underpin the vene excessively in peoples life, hampering welfare State in Sweden? "Public financed childcare is people from taking risks. I would rather The Swedish welfare state was designed describe the welfare state as a middle to deliver both high equality and an one important example of a class oriented system that invests in the efficient economy. A core principle is human capital through high spending on that most welfare programs are univer- welfare reform that has made health and education, which increases the sal, which means welfare is usually not personal freedom and opportunities. means tested and social programmes it possible to achieve high How do you see your welfare state such as health care, pensions, child surviving the European economic down- allowance and health insurance cover level of female employment." turn? the whole population. Yet, benefits are The Swedish welfare state is fairly effi- often income-related: if you are sick, In Britain, people would label Sweden as cient. If comparing the economic devel- unemployed or on parental leave you a nanny-state: what would you respond? opment in Europe during the last decade receive compensation according to your The Swedish welfare state is big in terms one has to conclude that welfare states former salary. The result has been a of levels of taxation, but can hardly be such as Norway, Finland and Sweden are system with both strong redistributional described as a nanny-state. The term doing much better than countries with effects and a high public support. nanny-state implicates that the state inter- smaller welfare states.
Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine 9 The threat against the Swedish Who are the recipients of the welfare The relatively high level of model is not international, it is domestic. state in Sweden? Families or individuals? employment is in many aspects the con- The centre-right government is undermining What are the most effective tools you sequence of welfare reforms that took the central principles of the welfare system. have in place? place in the sixties and seventies. Public One example is that the Swedish The welfare is to a great extent individual- financed childcare is one important government is not adequately funding the ised. There are some systems that is (partly) example of a welfare reform that has welfare producers (schools, hospitals etc.) family based one such important example is made it possible to have a relatively high thereby forcing people to buy for example the governmental financed parental leave. level of female employment. health insurance. Many progressives in Sweden are advocat- However, the rate of female employ- What is the balance between centre- ing reforming the parental leave making it ment in Sweden is still about five percent- led initiatives and localism in delivering individualised, half would then be allocated ages lower than male employment. If welfare services? to the mother and the other half would be women had the same rate of employment There has been a great deal of discussion allocated to the father. as men do, approximately 150 000 more and debate in the labour movement between Sweden seems a successful model for women would be employed. those who favoured more of cooperative feminism across the genders: how do you My advice would be to step by step solutions and those who favoured stronger succeed? And what would be your advise to introduce welfare reforms that enhance central institutions. The Swedish welfare British policy-makers? the living standards for women and simul- system of today is based on both coop- The rate of female employment in Sweden is taneously increase the potential employ- erative solutions (such as the trade union quite high. Swedish women participate in the ment rate. Making high quality public administrated system of unemployment work force to a greater extent than in most childcare affordable is probably one of the insurance) and central welfare systems. other European countries. most important reform.
Dr Laura Nelson, writer, blogger and senior manager in a healthcare charity. She Hamleys sees has a doctorate in neu- roscience and writes the the light Delilah blog.
Gender epiphany follows feminist intervention By Laura Nelson
ou may have heard the good news, At the same time as speaking to MPs and less than 1% of business leaders Ybut it bears repeating - Hamleys has Hamleys, I contacted the nationalised are female. There are many factors contrib- ditched its gender signs. The story blew up Icelandic bank, Landsbanki, which controls uting to these disparities, and it’s impor- last December, just in time for Christmas, Hamleys. I was also gathering support on tant to try to unpick them. and was covered by most of the national Twitter and elsewhere – journalists, scien- newspapers, radio and TV, and numerous tists and organisations such as Mumsnet – "This has opened up a debate, other news outlets in the UK and beyond. which I had been building up since I wrote a It’s a change with significance. blog post on the topic in October. Mine was and other campaigns may follow. Hamleys is one of the world’s largest and not the first campaign on this issue. In the most influential toyshops, and the run up to past few years there have been successful I couldn’t have hoped for more." Christmas is their busiest time of year. campaigns against toyshops in the UK and At the beginning of December I overseas, and support has been widespread. As yet, there is no scientific consensus wrote to the CEO of Hamleys and spoke to A few days after I sent the letter, that boys and girls are born with differences their marketing team, outlining my concern Hamleys changed the signs. All mention of in aspirations and cognitive abilities, such as that gender segregation restricted children’s gender has been removed and the toys are problem-solving. Conversely, conditioning is and parents’ choices and influenced the now categorised by type. much more likely to affect skill development. development of skills and aspirations of chil- For a few days, journalists called Hamleys said it was going to change dren, contributing to society’s inequality. me non-stop and I went on air to debate the the signs anyway. It would be a remarkable In my letter, I requested they issue. People were intrigued, horrified and coincidence if this were true, and strange that categorise toys by type, not by gender, wanted to discuss it. Are boys and girls not the marketing team hadn’t told me this when and pointed out that on the girls’ floor the born with different tendencies and skills? I called them. toys were related to domestic, caring and How influential is conditioning by toys? It doesn’t matter in any case - they did beauty activities whilst the boys’ floor was This kind of public debate is crucial. it and it has created a stir. It has opened up geared to action and war, with little scope We have gaping inequalities between the a debate, and other campaigns may follow. I for creativit y. genders; for example, only a fifth of UK couldn’t have hoped for more.
10 Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine Marc Stears, Professor of Political Theory, University of Oxford and Politics starts Visiting Fellow, IPPR in our daily life It's time we placed ourselves back at the centre of the story By Marc Stears
t its heart, Fabianism is a demand the welfare of some of the most economi- be a source of evil itself. Second, it will A for change. In common with all cally vulnerable in our society. That is all admit that long-term change requires branches of democratic socialism, the soul to the good. But it has not been capable serious and sustained struggle in all of the Fabian Society is found in campaigns of leading a broader transformation in parts of our society. It will acknowledge, against injustice, systematic cruelty and the lives of the vast majority of women in that is, that it is the daily injustices in political exclusion. The Fabian Women’s Britain. State action has not effectively our workplaces, our neighbourhoods, our Network exists to bring that same cam- tackled endemic sexism in the everyday churches, our mosques, our schools and paigning spirit to bear on the manifold vari- experience of women in the workplace. It our social clubs that demand our atten- eties of those evils that impact directly and has not made women feel welcome and tion and all often escape the reach of disproportionately on women. valued in a host of our democratic insti- government. Third, and most importantly, The most pressing question that tutions. It has not offered women signifi- it will admit that we need to do more our- confronts the Network must be how such cantly greater opportunities to combine selves. It will accept that a campaigning campaigns can most effectively be waged. caring responsibilities with vocational focus on government has too often led us How can we all help to bring change to loyalty and career development. to turn away from the things that we do Britain, and to other parts of the world? This failure has not come about right and do wrong in the conduct of our How can we act together to ensure that by chance. There are some things that own lives. And that serves no-one. the life experiences of women are charac- states can do and there are some terized not by injustice, but by fulfilment, things they cannot, simply by virtue of "If we are to begin a new not by exclusion but by a full and vibrant them being states. States are agents sense of participation? of standardized provision or of techni- campaign against injustice, Feminists and others have, cal protection. They are not agents of By Laura Nelson of course, grappled with these chal- attitudinal transformation. As a result, we must accept that a lenges for generations, often engaging states can rarely bring about the kind in intense debate and disagreement of change that shapes our lived interac- campaigning focus on as they have done so. During the New tions with each other. They don’t pen- Labour years, though, a new consensus etrate our everyday experiences. They government has too often led emerged in the mainstream left. The don’t show us how to respect, be loyal answer, it was said, lay primarily in state and have affection for one another. us to turn away from the things action. The response to the evils that They don’t teach us how to love in ways women faced was to be found through that truly ensure the equality of each of that we do right and do wrong in legislative decision-making and execu- the partners in a relationship. Yet this, tive implementation. Campaigning thus surely, is what we need if we are to be the conduct of our own lives. became focused first on winning Parlia- true to our mission. mentary elections and second on con- If we are to begin a new campaign And that serves no-one." structing formal rules and enforceable against injustice, systematic cruelty and procedures. The goal of the women’s exclusion, then, we will need to develop What all of this means is that it is movement was seen as establishing new a new account of how change occurs. time that we placed ourselves at the centre patterns of behaviour and outcomes That account will take time to develop. of the story once again. Every day each one through the rule of law and the exercise It will emerge, as all great things in the of us shapes the experience of others. We of sovereignt y. Fabian tradition always have, from a do it in small ways and in big ways. We do it This consensus was well-inten- continual argument amongst the move- when we interact with those who serve us tioned and saw some initial success. In the ment’s supporters, friends and crit- in shops, those with whom we labour, those long run, however, it has proven to be an ics. Whatever form it eventually takes, for whom we care, and those with whom error. The state has been capable of tack- though, I believe it will grow out of three we choose to struggle and campaign. That’s ling a number of individual injustices. Leg- central admissions. where our primary attention should lie as islative action has made some headway First, it will admit that the state we fight against the evils that face us. That in eroding the gender pay gap, in ensuring is not the solution to all of the evils that is where the new campaign against injus- fair hiring practices at work, in protecting we face, and indeed that it can often tice, cruelty and exclusion should begin.
Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine 11 Reema Patel, Associate Consultant, ELGH (Excellence in Local Change the culture Government and Health) of the welfare state
Reema Patel
he Fabians have long held that, where that makes designing a welfare state think more intelligently about the women Tpossible, inequality should be miti- to address the inequalities affecting themselves who need support; accord- gated using social democratic means. The women a genuine challenge. ingly we must rise to this challenge of welfare state is understood to have an designing a socially democratic and important purpose and role in addressing "We must rise to this equal welfare state by making it smarter, arbitrary in equality within a democratic not smaller. framework, and to afford the vulnerable challenge of designing a So when we are asked whether both a safety net and a base upon which the welfare state should be reformed and a better life can be built. socially democratic and equal whether it can do more for women, the One of the greatest inequalities answer is that of course it must – and of that pervades British society is the welfare state by making it course it can, if only because our under- inequality between men and women, standing of the inequalities of opportu- which manifests itself in several ways: smarter, not smaller." nity that affects society is now far richer in a disparity of wages, in the ‘glass than it was in 1945, and because it is a ceiling’ at senior levels in most fields There are some needs common stretch to suggest that the welfare state and behaviourally, in the assumptions to a wide range of women – for instance, has always evolved adequately to meet women have about their role in society support around domestic abuse -and these needs. and how that fits into conceptions of the providing it may seem relatively straight- When we talk about changing family; after all, women make up a dis- forward. However, the state as is fails the structure of the welfare state from proportionate number of carers for both to make space for nuances, such as a ‘top-down’ organisation to one that is older and younger people. But perhaps whether a woman is in an abusive rela- more driven by its recipients, we are not most crucially, it manifests itself in the tionship with a man or a woman. In some really talking about changing its struc- political under-representation of women ways, this information is irrelevant to the ture. We are really talking about chang- within our democratic society - we still need to provide support for her. But the ing its culture. have all-male policy panels in West- reasons for such abuse being prevalent Welfare begs the question – welfare minster, for example. These are all ine- and the accessibility of such support in for whom? Welfare for women often begs qualities that seem to exist for women the two instances can, and do, diverge. the question – welfare for which woman? because they are women, and must be A welfare state such as the one An effective welfare state first needs to addressed. we have now may continue to provide be resourced effectively to provide such Inequality between men and existing domestic violence support, but services. This is the first strike against the women also intersects with a range of reforming the provision of it is needed. It coalition government; it has deprived Brit- other inequalities which can dispropor- would be beneficial to recognise the bar- ish society of that funding, and is taking tionately affect women; because women riers to accessing that support for differ- apart the welfare state as a consequence. may be ageing or have older parents, ent groups (in this instance, for women But an effective welfare state are particularly young and have chil- in same-sex relationships), and to refrain also needs to target its resources to dren, find themselves in certain socio- from assuming what sort of support avoid wastefulness, which involves economic and/or family circumstances, women in such circumstances may need. changing the culture of how public ser- belong to a particular racial group or This example also highlights how the vices are delivered through it, includ- religion, have a particular sexual orien- onus is on front-line workers in such ser- ing the social attitudes of those who tation or gender identity – or indeed a vices to deepen their own understanding are responsible for its delivery. This is combination of all of the above. of the problems that may face differ- the second strike against the coalition Securing social democratic out- ent women depending on their circum- government – their so-called ‘reform’ of comes whilst planning a woman-friendly stances, and to be better equipped to the welfare state has alienated, rather welfare state is not an easy task given facilitate a dialogue about those issues. than engaged with or led public serv- the diversity of circumstance. There In short, the inequality some ants, 65% of whom are, incidentally, is no archetypal woman around whom women encounter thanks to their gender women. This government is not reform- welfare must be designed, just as there is compounded by their particular social ing the welfare state – rather, it is dis- is no archetypal person. It is this issue context. Such nuances require us to mantling it.
12 Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine Ernst Stetter, Secretary General, FEPS (Foundation for European Why we must Progressive Studies) rehabilitate the state
Reema Patel in Europe By Ernst Stetter
he European Union and its member to look afresh at with the free-market that the pursuit of profit maximisation Tstates are facing one of the most diffi- ideology, which led to huge income can be destabilising, if not regulated cult periods in recent history. The current inequalities, low levels of investment by democratic institutions. Indeed, crisis is the crucial test of the solidity of and a financial burst. restoring space for public intervention the future of Europe since World War II. in economic affairs necessitates demo- Europe seems not to be able to face a "Participative traditional cratic support; here lies one of the keys sovereign debit crisis in one or more of its towards a redefinition of our welfare member states due to a lack of solid crisis democratic structures are being systems and social policies! management, showing us that we are In the past twenty years, social living in adeep crisis of the very concept questioned by those who are democracy and Labour were not able to of the State. fulfil the commitments of equality, In the last few months we have suffering the most from the social justice and solidarity;these were seen big changes in the political land- often considered as a secondary issue. scape across Europe, especially the crisis, the unemployed youth. Unfortunately, Social Democratic implementation of so called “techni- parties have moved away from their cal” governments in Greece and Italy. This is the crucial point to members and have been contradicted Let us be cautious. In our cities, young by the economic and social crisis which people have taken to the streets, disil- develop and goes together with we are witnessing. lusioned with the traditional institutions Indeed the “Third Way” argues of representative democracy. While the rehabilitation of the state." that political power may only be organ- some such movements have resulted in ised under coalitions formed occasionally. wanton destruction, others provide an They are social constructions These were rather ad hoc and not based alternative analysis of the functioning of which have always been, by definition, on a structured majority usually linked democracy. Furthermore, recent years regulated on national and international with social classes. The “Third Way” tried have seen a rise in support for far right levels. The need for a common fiscal and to win over the middleclasses, which political parties which operate within economic policy is evident. Restructuring functioned for a certain time, but clashed. the parliamentary system but maintain the European economies, reducing sover- In the end the desired compromise a presence on its fringes. eign debt, and achieving effective savings between a more financialised capitalism Hence the crisis is more than in the national budgets is not easy. But and the welfare state was not possible. a sovereign debt crisis in Greece. It it is all about a coordinated and well The financial markets rejected the princi- is a profound crisis of solidarity and defined, coherent economic and social ples of the welfare state and Europe has democracy in our nation states. There- policy. And it is all about risk-sharing in seen a considerable increase in inequali- fore we have to reconsider our concept our nation states. ties strengthening the financial charac- of the state. Public interest needs regula- ter of the economy.Fortunately we are A key starting point in this tion of private activities. The goal is to witnessing a rehabilitation of the concept context is that Europe and its member re-align private practices with public of the state. The financialised capital- states need to understand that feder- interest, and this is precisely the role of ism is ever more questioned. However, alism is not a threat but an opportunity. a democratic state. Without discrediting the state is still weak. Consequently Sharing sovereignty and giving respon- a free market economy, it seems urgent the participative traditional democratic sibilities to a federal system is a means to re-assign the need for regulation with structures are being questioned by those to ensuring long-term sustainability and respect to economic stability and public who are suffering the most from the welfare. European integration is a story interest. Against all views presented crisis, the unemployed youth. This is the of sharing sovereignty and of accepting for supporting economic liberalisation, crucial point to develop and goes together the need to help the weaker in the inter- a good economy is first and foremost a with the rehabilitation of the state. If est of all,, hence a question of solidarity. democratically regulated economy with progressives cannot deliver on the future The current crisis raises important respect to private economic forces but of our youth, our democracies will be questions directly related to our basic set also towards the public interest. However, challenged more and more – and we all of values. It is time to take this opportunity it will be necessary to convince citizens know what this could mean.
Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine 13 Hilary Cottam, founder of social enterprise, What next for the Participle welfare state? Hilary Cottam, founder of social enterprise, Participle, talks to Fabiana about relational welfare Hilary Cottam
The welfare state: where are we now, of considerations are about welfare in terms major state participation and investment, Hilary? What is working and what is of services and the state, and here we need in really rethinking, in a very systemic way, missing? to see how to solve problems collectively, in where resources are, what’s needed and how It is essentially the same welfare state that dialogue, working together. we can shift that system. we had in the 1950s, and we have had 20 years How would that work in practice? of trying to reform it around the edges. The In all the public service work Participle does, "Welfare reform must bring a reality is that British society has changed but one of the most important things is the way our welfare state is still built around a white people talk to each other. For instance, when very new, dynamic relationship male breadwinner while care, a huge role our families in crisis choose the life team, they of the state, is pushed off, unpaid, into the are looking for people who will talk to them as between the state and citizen" women’s domestic realm. I am talking to you now - as equals, in an open There are problems today that Bev- way. For me,this is relational welfare. It is a How would women benefit from a relational eridge never considered when he designed kind of cultural, attitudinal change as much as approach to welfare? it: for instance, I work on ageing. Over 60% of a change in what is actually delivered. The gender issue is the challenge for relational the British population is over the age of 60. Our work on ageing is another con- welfare to solve, because care is still predomi- Another example is our health economy, all crete example of relational welfare. The nantly the woman’s role, and the old welfare organised around hospitals and infectious system of adult social care in Britain is one state has not found a way to resolve this. Tra- disease when 80% of the health burden now is rationed by economic status, how much ditional welfare, and public service reform, is chronic disease and shouldn’t be medicalised. money you have, and your physical ability. held within very traditional categories of pro- With all these issues coming togeth- But our work clearly shows that people are in duction, consumption, subject, object, and all er, we need a radical settlement around the greatest need of social relationships. As the of those categories have broken down. Power state, society and business and a very new, WHO says, loneliness is a bigger killer than is diffused in a very different way, so I think the dynamic relationship between the state and smoking. People judge their meal delivery or lens of relationships enables us to bring them the citizen. The Labour Party did make things their cleaner according to whether they’ve back into the political debate, which is a start- happen - such as SureStart - but we need been able to talk to them, not only by the food ing point, without which we can’t go anywhere. a fundamentally different welfare model. or cleaning received.Taking all these insights, Looking closely at relationships also The Labour Party understood the state and we’ve built a universal service called Circle, enables us to tackle the outdated presumption it didn’t understand the citizen; now the Big basically a community membership service. of care being in the home and the woman’s Society talks about the citizen but has got Instead of a public sector service being done role, while production and consumption no conceptual model of the state, which is to you, you join something, you own it, feel happen outside. The caring roles are still equally problematic. like a member, and the traditional boundaries being pushed onto women, from mothering to You have defined what we need as a more are very blurred between who is providing caring for a relative, and in late capitalism it relational welfare: what do you mean? the service and who is receiving it. I might be has become more difficult to think of a way to We need to move away from a model about very bad at technology so someone is helping address those issues. a transaction which passes goods and ser- me with that, but I’m helping you because Funding the welfare state is essential vices to people, that does things to people, I’m taking you out of the house for a walk, or but so is the principle, the intellectual frame- to one about engaging with people and doing meeting you out of hospital. This particular work that we are talking about. I cannot believe things in relationship with people. example is cheap, and it is saving a lot of that all my conversations with my girlfriends The idea of relational welfare works on three money, because it is built on software rather and the mums at school are still about how levels for me. One is methodological - to than on buildings, vehicles, all that kind of we cope with the basics of our daily lives like reconceive the welfare state we need a com- thing. And it is built on social capital, on us childcare and balancing everything, even with pletely different vantage point: approaching being each other’s solution. a supportive partner! I don’t see that it is going it from my background of feminist academia, We designed this service bottom- to be any different for my daughter as things of psychoanalytic thought rather than the up in Southwark, with 250 older people and, currently stand. The welfare state needs to sphere of production or consumption, imme- importantly, their families. Circle would not change, and it is a cultural change that we diately makes you ask different questions. have been invented by 250 people getting need, to enable people, women in the first Secondly, there are huge issues about time together alone in a church hall without place, to develop their capabilities and unlock and how to balance our lives. The third set resources. To design our project, there was their talents.
14 Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine Felicity Slater is a Young Fabian and masters Gender impact student. assessment: not so
Hilary Cottam taxing after all By Felicity Slater
nder Labour’s Equality Act 2010, Uthe government is legally bound to Single adult households 1 give ‘due consideration’ to the implica- of which: male tions of its policies for gender equality. of which: female Figure 1: Impact of tax and In its high-profile legal challenge to the benefit reforms on house- government over the disproportionate Couple households hold incomes for single adult impact of cuts on women, the Fawcett households by sex of adult, Society demonstrated the force and util- Multi-family households with average loss for couple ity of this equalities legislation. and multi-family households Evidence on the specific question All for comparison. of the impact of tax and benefit reforms 0% -1% -2% -3% -4% -5% by gender was published in June 2011 in a report that Fawcett commissioned from the Loss as a proportion of net income Institute for Fiscal Studies. It is just one of 2010-11 to 2012-13 2012-13 to 2014-15 a number of analyses that has successfully highlighted the government’s flagrant disre- gard to uphold its statutory obligation. Firstly, the evidence itself clearly Single adult households demonstrates that a gender impact assess- of which: male 2 ment had not been carried out. Notably, the of which: male, no children of which: lone fathers results produced by the IFS’s model reveal Figure 2: Impact of tax and of which: female how overall single female households will of which: female, no children benefit reforms on household of which: lone mothers be significantly harder hit in terms of net incomes for single adult house- Couple households of which: without children income loss than their male equivalents of which: with children holds by sex of adult, couple
over the period 2010-2015. Multi-family households and multi-family households by of which: without children Although when broken down the of which: with children presence of children statistics illustrate that single male house- All of which: without children holds lose a greater proportion of their net of which: with children income, as a whole group single women 0% -1% -2% -3% -4% -5% -6% -7% -8% -9% undergo a greater loss owing to the fact that 92% of lone parents are women, and Loss as a proportion of net income that lone parents as a group are particu- 2010-11 to 2012-13 2012-13 to 2014-15 larly hard hit by tax and benefit changes from 2012-2013 onwards. changes is to evaluate how those who are not a question of priority: they are As a corollary of the observed live in households with others are affected. a legal obligation based on the belief in gender impact, the IFS’s report most Whereas some estimation of gender gender equality. The Tories have shown importantly proposes some basic meas- impact is possible through analysing dif- themselves to be at best unconcerned by ures with which the government can carry ferences in changes to direct taxes and gender equality, at worst seeking actively out an assessment in future. These need benefits, the IFS report highlighted that to reverse the progress made under not even generate additional expense: the the unknown and highly varied degree of Labour, to reinforce a more ‘traditional’ statistics necessary for the assessment cost-sharing within households means that role for women in society. already feature in the Budget document, any such analysis must be more nuanced. while further useful data available to gov- A pertinent assessment remains therefore Fundamentally, that overlooking equalities ernment departments could expand and difficult to achieve. legislation has such acute consequences refine analysis. Nonetheless, that the government highlights the fundamental role that the The main challenge facing any does not do what it could to uphold its state can and must play in addressing attempt to carry out a meaningful gender statutory duty reflects a clear set of pri- and ultimately overcoming entrenched impact assessment of tax and benefit orities. Yet gender impact assessments gender inequality.
Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine 15 Time to release Shadow Minister Chi Onwurah MP on women the UK’s potential in science, boardrooms and politics energy by Ivana Bartoletti
With the economic crisis continuing, the UK needs investment – what do you see as the contribution innovation and science can make to growth? What should the government be doing more of?
This government is not supporting growth: they have cut investment in science research by 15%, including a 40% cut in capital spending. They also abolished Labour’s 10 year framework for science investment. It’s a shame as innovation and science play a leading part in achieving growth. Josh Lerner, the Harvard Business School Professor, in his book Boulevard of Broken Dreams cites studies in the 1950s that analysed 100 years of economic data. He found that just 15% of growth in output - in any given economy - can be "The UK has the lowest accounted for by increasing input. Which means that 85% of growth in economic proportion of female output comes from innovation! engineering professionals in "The UK has the lowest the EU - only 8.7%" proportion of female engineering professionals in the EU - only 8.7%"
We have one of the most celebrated scientific position for the future. A recent Our global competitors and the emerging industrial pasts in the world and led Business, Innovation and Skills report science nations – even those with auster- scientific invention internationally – but concluded that the UK is a world leader in ity programmes – are increasing their where is the country’s ambition in these research, and a world leader in article and investment in science and research. fields today? citation output (both per researcher and per So why has this government cut 60% of unit of research spending) but other countries capital funding and 10% of programme It is true that this country has a long are outpacing the UK in terms of growth funding for British science? tradition of innovation and ingenuity, in number of researchers and spending on Following the spending review last excellence in engineering and science, research. The UK’s ability to sustain its lead- year, a report by Imperial College found and of creativity and global engagement. ership position is far from inevitable. that cutting investment in research neg- From the steam engine to the world wide Thirteen years of increased invest- atively affects GDP by a factor of ten: a web we have consistently punched above ment in science and research has given us a cut of £1bn a year in science spending will our weight in science and innovation. real competitive edge in the global economy. result in a £10bn drop in GDP, because of That is a fantastic inheritance Yet the government’s own assessment now the economic contribution, and associated but rather than standing and admiring it, admits that we are putting that position at private sector leverage, made by publicly we need to safeguard our world-leading risk if we do not keep up with our rivals. funded science in the UK.
16 Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine Shadow Minister Chi Without a long-term plan, the The consequences of the government’s society. A positive cultural representa- science community and private sector shortsightedness are dramatic. Progress tion of science needs to be embedded in Onwurah MP on women investors in research cannot be certain with social mobility and equality in lessons early on in primary school, and of the government’s future commitment these industries has now been at best then continue from there. in science, boardrooms to science. This lack of commitment retarded, at worst reversed. Creating Also, the industry itself can do to science and research is putting our barriers to training and employment a lot. I believe there ought to be trans- and politics world-leading position in science at risk. for half the workforce is bad for the parency on how businesses are perform- So we cannot afford to be complacent. economy, and hinders our ability to lead ing, and it would be great to make the on a global scale. rewards of working in SET more visible. We know women are still We would also need a minister who under-represented in science and the "All this isn’t just unfair is sympathetic! Unfortunately, David digital economy. What do you see as the Willetts doesn’t agree with us that a consequences of this? on women; it is bad for our problem exists.
Before I answer that I’ll give you some economy and our global Another important area related to your data first! portfolio is the issue of women’s leader- competitiveness." ship in business, particularly women Women make up 45.1% of the UK’s on boards. We have a woeful record on workforce, but remain under-represent- this in Britain. The Davies report recom- ed in science, engineering and technolo- mended that UK listed companies in the gy (SET) occupations in the UK. Women FTSE 100 should aim for a minimum of were only 12.3% of all employees in SET 25% female board member representa- occupations in 2010 and the UK has the tion by 2015. However, research released lowest proportion of female engineer- last year revealed that only 21 women ing professionals in the EU - only 8.7%. have been appointed to board positions Gender segregation is particularly out of a possible 93. What more do you extreme in SET skilled trades such as think our leading companies need to do electrical work, with women forming to develop and promote female talent in roughly 1% of the workforce in these the workplace? occupations. Only 5.3% of all working women were employed in any SET There is such a compelling case occupation, compared to 31.3% of all on why there should be equal board working men. All this isn’t just unfair member representation. But if we want on women; it is bad for our economy to see this issue tackled, there needs and our global competitiveness. much more proactive head-hunting The coalition government has – after all, there are many women out stopped funding the UK Resource there who could sit on boards. Centre for Women in Science and Engi- The problem of representation neering, the body set up by the previous encompasses all sectors: I must say, government that promoted women in "There are many women out Parliament is the most diverse place these areas. Instead it has handed over where I have worked! In SET, women the responsibility for promoting women there who could sit on boards." are still only a small proportion of board in science to the Royal Society and Royal members in FTSE 100 companies. In 2009, Academy of Engineering. These are What more needs to be done to only 10.8% of board directorships were excellent organisations, but in the first increase the representation of women held by women, albeit a slight increase of the fellowship is around 93% male, and in jobs in science, engineering and 2.4% points in the five years since 2004. in the second is at 95%. technology? Do you think we need to In 2009, exclusively male SET FTSE 100 In India the proportion of women do more to attract young women into boards still existed in 28.3% of companies. enrolled on engineering degrees in 2000 science professions? However, the proportion of SET FTSE was twice what it is in the UK, and that 100 companies with women directors on is despite the lower rates of literacy for Much could be done, as the causes boards had increased by 8.7% since 2004. girls there. And the UK has the lowest are both cultural and structural. First, Of course, if nothing works to proportion of women engineers in the EU I believe we need role models. Great increase numbers of women in board- – less than one third that of Latvia. ambassadors are absolutely vital - but rooms then we may need to consider These two countries clearly provide a they are volunteers, and they can’t do temporary quotas. Boosting diversity is more effective infrastructure than we do to the job alone. There also needs to be important for the economy, and quotas allow talented women to compete in the field. proper support for science itself in are a way to make sure it happens.
Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine 17 The Power gap Why we are at a watershed moment
for women’s rights By Preethy Sundaram, Fawcett Society
n 2011 the number of women out of increasingly alienated from politics and gap is growing in society to match I work reached a 23 year high. In the lack confidence in the government’s the gap which already exists in politics. same year, the number of women in economic strategy. The gender-blind nature of cur- the Cabinet fell to a ten year low. The The Fawcett Society’s analysis rent government economic and social power gap between women and men has shown that the government’s policy serves to highlight the need for in politics is mirrored in the growing approach to tackling the deficit means more equal representation in decision- gap between those most affected by women face a ‘triple jeopardy’: hit making. We need to see more women government decisions and those shap- hardest by job cuts in the public sec- – all kinds of women - in positions of ing policy. tor, worse affected as the services and power and influence, in order that the We are just seven years away benefits they use more are cut, and left position of women in society is not from the centenary of the enfranchise- filling the gaps as support services further undermined. In times of eco- ment of (some) women, yet the Equali- are withdrawn. nomic difficulty it becomes more not ties and Human Rights Commission less important to have a range of voices estimates that it will take ten times that “Decisions that affect us and experiences inform the direction of long – another 14 elections - to achieve government policy - only then can power equal numbers of men and women in all, be it how to balance be more equally distributed between Parliament. Men MPs outnumber women women and men in civil society. four to one - in the recent Abortion Bill the nation’s budget or our debate, three in four votes were cast by men. Women make up just one in five preferred system of welfare, members of the House of Lords, a third of local councillors, and around one in are being made without ten council leaders. When it comes to the government quad - the top four members women round the table.” of the coalition government – there’s not a single woman in sight. At the same time, other govern- The women who have made it to ment policies are posing a serious public office are remarkably similar – challenge to women’s power and white, middle class, well-educated and agency: the Women’s National Com- within a narrow age range. BME women mission has been abolished, removing are still under-represented at all levels, a mechanism that allowed women’s as are women from lower socio-eco- voices to be heard within government; nomic backgrounds and both older and drastic reforms to legal aid are set to younger women. The diversity of women’s see half of all women who are victims voices is not proportionally represented of domestic violence ineligible for within the political realm. support, and an expected roll-back on The link between our current employment rights through the ‘Red democratic deficit and government’s Tape Challenge’ could well undermine pursuit of gender blind policy needs fur- women’s foothold in the workplace. ther exploration. Women are bearing the We are at a watershed moment brunt of current austerity measures and for women’s rights. If we do not act as a result women’s power and agency now, there is a very real danger that over their own lives and wider world is we will see a turning back in time for diminished. Decisions that affect us all, women’s hard-won equality. Increas- be it how to balance the nation’s budget ingly, women will have less power and or our preferred system of welfare, are influence over their own lives and their being made without women round the wider world as both their political and table. Little wonder that women feel economic capital is reduced. A power
18 Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine Helen Wells, Director Why women and of Opportunity Now profits rise together Helen Wells, Director of Opportunity Now, reviews the commercial imperative for having more women in senior management. By Helen Wells
he publication of the Davies report ences and perspectives helps boards to as women move up an organisation. Ton women on boards in February escape the herd mentality where no-one Opportunity Now’s Sticky Floors and 2011, coupled with the launch of various challenges decisions. A board with a good Cement Ceilings research of 1200 women new government initiatives on women in mix of both men and women benefits from in non-managerial roles indicated that business, has put a spotlight on women’s broader perspectives, new ideas and more over a third of them thought that a lack equality at work. For some, campaign- vigorous challenging of decisions. of female senior role models within their ing on this is important as a matter of organisation had affected their chances justice. For Opportunity Now, the gender "Women are less influenced of progressing. Meanwhile, 52% of female equality campaign from Business in managers recently cited a lack of visible the Community, having more women on by peers to take high risk bets women in senior positions as a key boards and in senior management roles barrier to their own advancement. is also a matter of business advantage. under pressure." How do we ensure all these The drive to get more women benefits are understood and actually into powerful leadership roles cannot be Wiser and more pragmatic man- attained? Real change has already dismissed as a matter of political correct- agement of risk appears to be another been made this year. In the government ness. It is not just the right thing to do, it is benefit of more balanced boards. The commissioned report from Lord Mervyn a business imperative. Having more diver- excessive risk taking of some corpo- Davies, a banker and former Labour sity in management and leadership builds rate boards helped contribute to the government minister, he called for 25% better and more dynamic businesses. economic crisis. Interesting research has of FTSE 100 board places to be held by Studies in both the United States shown that women are not as influenced women by 2015. To achieve this, one third and Europe have found that companies by peers to take high risk bets when of all appointments have to be women. with the highest representation of under pressure. The same research In the six months following the Davies women on their top management teams showed that men are more likely to take report, recruitment of women on boards experienced significantly higher returns high risk bets when under financial increased, but not enough – it was close on equity and total return to sharehold- pressure and surrounded by other males to but not yet at one in three. ers, compared to those with the lowest of a similar social status. The core action that Lord Davies female representation. An increase in the number of asked companies to take was to set their For example, the benefit to a com- women in leadership roles could also own aspirational goals, starting from pany’s bottom line of women in powerful improve corporate governance. A study where they are now, and rooted in what is positions was highlighted when manage- in Canada found that boards with three reasonable, realistic and achievable. He ment consultancy McKinsey researched or more women directors took more made other recommendations around the the performance of listed European com- responsibility for verifying audit infor- recruitment process and other areas, but panies. It found that those with the most mation compared to companies with the core proposal was that companies women in top level posts outperform all-male boards. The same study showed give some thought to where they are now their sector in terms of return on equity that boards with two or more women on women with boards, where they want (11.4% vs. an average 10.3%), operating consistently surpass all-male boards to be in the future, and that they publish result (EBIT11.1% vs. 5.8%) and stock on accountability practices, review of those goals and their policy for getting price growth (64% vs. 47%). non-financial performance and assuming there. There is now a mechanism for Deadening ‘group think’ also tends responsibilities recommended by the those policies to be published, through to give way to more good ideas when Stock Exchange. a change that has been made to the UK more women are around the boardroom Role models are extremely impor- Corporate Governance Code. As a driver table. The role of a board is to facilitate tant to women in terms of developing for change, it is straight forward. Let’s debate, encourage informed discussion, their own identity at work and career hope it succeeds. anticipate problems and set strategies aspirations. Having more women in to deal with a changing and challenging leadership roles can help other women "Women Matter: gender diversity, a corporate business landscape. Evidence shows that within the same organisation to progress performance driver” McKinsey and Company, a more diverse board is a better board. further and faster up the career ladder, 2007. Women’s representation on Boards”, Joy, Having a great mix of opinions, experi- and role models become more important Carter, Wagener, Narayanan, Catalyst, 2007.
Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine 19 Liz Nelson OBE, founder of the global market research Ditch giant TNS Wonderwoman Ivana Bartoletti interviews Liz Nelson OBE, founder of the global market research giant TNS.
Your success in business is well known. allowing non-executive directors to meet How do you feel about the Davies Report? But what are your politics? separately - as long as they don’t gang up I was very disappointed. I don’t believe he I was a member of the Labour Party, but on the executive staff. was patronising when he said women need resigned six months before the invasion Was the private sector harder for mentoring, but it seems to me that above all, of Iraq. I don’t know what I’d do in the next women? we need quotas, and that was chucked out. election, but all my sympathy is with the It was more difficult because in this There is no way we can do it without quotas. Labour Party. country, it was the civil service which Are women being realistic? Was business your first choice? made the hugely important changes in I feel strongly that we are not managing I started off wanting very much to be a the laws, when female civil servants were the expectations of women under 30. Unfor- clinical psychologist working in the NHS, given a fairer deal. It was not unusual for tunately, you cannot do it all. I defy anyone but one day my tutor said, “You are never women to be connected with the public to say you can be a marvellous wife and going to be a psychologist, you are too sector - mind you, not many ran for parlia- marvellous mother and be marvellous at impatient, but you have been interviewing ment. But it was easier. Men didn’t feel so business. I think women taking 12 months schizophrenics for two years, and why don’t threatened if women were just going in to off to have a baby is absolutely crazy! Small you interview members of the public? - do charity work or for the local hospital. businesses cannot possibly afford it. Well, I there is a job going at Mars.” So it happened They perhaps thought “This is okay, this certainly couldn’t. by chance. isn’t going to put us out of work.” So who is placing these impossible expec- How did your family treat women and girls? And this was bad news for the country, tations on women? My being a girl, and having an elder as well as the individuals, wasn’t it? These amazing women, like Shirley Conran, brother, had an enormous impact on me. Very much so. Muriel Nissel, the head who wrote Superwoman in the 60s, said So did my mother, who had been a very statistician in the British government you can do it all. I don’t think it is true. That successful teacher of Italian children in during the 60s and 70s was a woman, who does not mean I look down on women who the slums of New York. But those days, you had been in the civil service for 25 or 30 choose to go back to work and not go for gave up work when you had children. She years and applied to the private sector. the top jobs. But to complain when you have pushed me much too much, made me skip The interviewers said, “we don’t think been away for 12 months that you are not on a grade. Driven, she was. Lived through you have had much experience in time the board….. me. She was always frustrated from not management.” She could not believe it. What is your advice to a young woman? working. She never said it, but it was so She said, “I am a wife, I have four chil- Women respond extremely well to ‘what obvious. She ran women’s clubs but it was dren and I am a top statistician.” And she if?’ situations. For the most part, women not enough for her. never entered the private sector. What unfortunately think that analysis is a far What do women bring to senior positions? a loss! better virtue than emotional intelligence Women can certainly add substantially to Did it make any difference to you as a or understanding, which is a huge pity, the efficiency of companies, and organisa- woman that you started life in America? because their strength is just that. Any tions in the public sector, and enormously Being an American, yeah, but in a funny IQ can bring in analysis, but not everyone add to the richness of any board. The world sort of way. It helped me to avoid the can bring emotional intelligence. I am very of finance would definitely be different British class system, or to cut through it. much influenced by the female coaches with more women and it has been proved. This economic downturn is hitting who admire the EQ. If more women ran banks I don’t think it women hardest. What do you think would be such a mess, as it is now. politicians and businesses should do to Liz Nelson was a co-founder of Taylor And you had an inside view as a non- increase women’s representation at Nelson, a research powerhouse that has executive director of RBS. all levels? since become the second largest market Incredibly I was the first and only woman I think whatever position they hold in research company in the world. Formerly non-exec director for eight years. It took whatever sector, women need a good deal director at the Chronic Granulomatous me five years before they invited me to of mentoring and confidence building. It is Disorder Research Trust, Liz is now the a rugby match. But I loved it, and I loved very true of running for parliament. I hope executive chairman of Fly Research Ltd being on the board. It was made easy for you are all getting it - mentoring is just and a trustee of the Family Planning us by the chairman, Sir George Younger.I so necessary. Some of the best mentors I Association and the Tavistock Institute. have followed his example ever since, of had were men.
20 Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine Umut Urel, RCUK Academic Fellow at the Making new Open University citizens
Migrant mothers in London By Umut Urel
s the ethnic diversity of Britain has selves as part of British society, and yet routine and security to allow them to Aincreased in recent years, there this feeling often went hand in hand with succeed in education and work. Yet, this have been calls for social interventions a strong identification with their home important contribution of migrant mothers to create an understanding of ‘shared countries or a broader, less nationally is not recognized in policy on integration futures’, as the Commission for Integration fixed outlook, such as ‘being European’, or and social cohesion. Integration continues and Cohesion phrased it in 2007. Migrant simply ‘being cosmopolitan’. While it was to be measured through participation in mothers contribute to this shared future important to mothers that their children the labour market. by bringing up part of the future British should feel part of UK society and speak Secondly, in bringing up their citizenry: almost a quarter of the 700,000 good English, they often took this for children migrant mothers engage with children born in England and Wales in 2008 granted. This is evidence of how success- the wider community and build bridges had foreign-born mothers - in London this ful schools, teachers and young people with British and other ethnic minority figure rises to 55%. are in building a shared, multi-ethnic communities – playgroups and school- understanding of being part of London yards are important meeting grounds not "Migrant mothers play an and the UK. Many mothers wanted their just for children but also for mothers of children to learn the language of the different backgrounds. Migrant mothers important role enabling their home country so that children could build social cohesion across ethnic group keep in touch with family members back boundaries, but their contribution tends families to find their way home - but they also thought it would help to be overlooked. children succeed in professional life. A Finally, the European mothers in around a new country, giving related issue is the high status of many this study show that a commitment to the European languages, whose cultural language and culture of the home coun- them the necessary routine value tends to be better recognized as a try need not stand in the way of active skill than the home languages spoken by engagement with life in Britain. They all and security to allow them to non-European migrants. Yet, despite this see their future and that of their children overall positive attitude to European lan- as being part of the UK. Being able to live succeed in education and work. guages, the mothers report that schools and work in other European countries and are not supportive of bilingual approaches beyond is not seen as turning their backs Yet this important contribution - in some cases they are even hostile. on the UK, but rather as an active engage- Like many British parents, the ment with the world. Their experience as is not recognised." mothers in this study are very concerned European Union citizens, who had the with the quality of secondary education. opportunity to migrate and integrate into According to Home Office reports, Regardless of their views of private educa- the UK labour markets smoothly, shows in 2006, 28% of those granted citizenship tion, they state that there should be good the importance of migrants’ rights in ena- were children. However, we know little quality education accessible to all. Per- bling their belonging. Their EU citizenship about the women who bring up this future haps in contrast to British parents, they protects their mobility and their family generation of new citizens. Migrant moth- feel that this is not an impossible dream – and social rights. This allows them to ers have been a focal point of my research instead they refer to their own experience build a positive social imagination where for a while, and recently I conducted a of education in their home countries to cosmopolitan values and engagement study of European migrant mothers in point out that it can be done. with British citizenship co-exist and even London to explore how perceive their own What can political activists take reinforce each other. Rather than viewing and their children’s belonging, participa- from these findings? They provide impor- this particular group of EU migrants as tion and citizenship. tant lessons in the role of migrant mothers particularly ‘easy to integrate’ I suggest Our everyday thinking sorts and families more generally. Firstly, this that politics needs to provide the social, migrants into those who are either commit- study and previous research with non- legal and political basis for all migrants to ted to life in the UK or those dreaming of European migrant families shows that be so comfortable in claiming a sense of a return to their home country. This study mothers play an important role in enabling belonging in both the UK and their home challenges these either/or preconceptions. their families to find their way around a country, and by extension Europe and the It transpires that most mothers see them- new country, giving them the necessary wider world.
Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine 21 Dr Sara Hamilton, Paediatrician and Academic Clinical Fellow Where is the voice in Integrated Child Health of real outrage? The neglect of children in our country is a fundamental problem By Sara Hamilton
n September 12th 2011, Polly Toynbee this government’s changes in policy. services, penalise those children with the Owrote the following lines in the Guardian: There is a bitter irony that the leaders of most complex, chronic health and social our democratic society were educated problems who already struggle to navigate “This neglect of the young makes the finan- at the most elitist schools and have gone a disparate system, and inhibit collabora- cial deficit pale beside the cost the future on to systematically cut education main- tive efforts between health services and social deficit. In unemployment, crime, tenance allowance, increase university community resources. mental health and social breakdown, the tuition fees and abandon plans to extend damage done will cascade on, down future the number of children eligible for free "It is utterly hypocritical generations. I doubt many voters know or school meals.Unlike higher education, would approve the price that children are the NHS still delivers free health care for Cameron to pose as the paying as cuts are camouflaged by empty regardless of wealth. Yet we cannot be Cameron words of concern. complacent; as the British Medical Journal ‘ideal parent’ whilst cutting What’s needed is a campaign by chil- reported, we have a higher all-cause child- dren’s charities to shame the government hood mortality compared with other Euro- state and third sector support and to make these facts known. Quiet pean countries. If the UK health system despair grips those who see it happening, performed as well as that of Sweden, for families." but where is the voice of real outrage?” as many as 1500 children might not die each year. However, the scale of the NHS There are amazing community A month after she asked this pertinent presents challenges; it is the 4th biggest initiatives that strive to support the most question I joined several paediatricians organisation in the world, so coordinating vulnerable members of our society - the in registering our own ‘real outrage’ by the disparate array of components within victims of trafficking and domestic opposing the Health and Social Bill in a the NHS is not easy. In reviewing children’s violence, or those trying to escape the letter to The Times. Over 300 child health services, Ian Kennedy highlighted the lack cycle of crime and drug abuse. But acute professionals signed the letter, and it of health equality and lack of integration health services can only pick up the is one of many that have been written, across “a complex array of organisa- pieces - a baby born to a heroin-addicted by various bodies, to voice the medical tions, units and teams.” The complexity mother on a methadone programme will profession’s strong objection to the Bill. of improving children’s health services spend months in hospital being weaned off The neglect of children in our necessitates that we derive lessons from four-hourly morphine and being deprived country is a fundamental problem: one in other complex systems. The state, and of the chance to form a secure attach- ten children are either neglected, psycho- those who work within the health service, ment with a primary carer. Meanwhile, logically or physically abused every year. cannot keep applying traditional solutions government cuts are crippling the commu- Children suffer neglect at the hands of indi- to increasingly ‘wicked’ problems, as they nity initiatives that strive to address the viduals. But we forget, as a nation, that we are known in social planning circles – i.e, factors the contribute to those babies neglect children in our failure to be proactive problems too monumental and too varied to being born to disempowered mothers enough in tackling the roots of inequality. remedy conventionally. lacking in hope. Initiatives that empower In the UK, health and wellbeing It’s unacceptable to waste tax- women and mothers help break the cycle follows a clear socio-economic gradi- payers’ money on ineffective solutions of addiction and prison, and yet they go ent – and we need to be curious about the that fail to have any impact on improving unfunded. For example, Clean Break offers complex factors that perpetuate the steep- patients’ lives. Steve Jobs said of Apple a free education programme to women ness of that curve. The current government when it was in financial crisis, “the cure ex-offenders and those at risk of offend- may lack an ideological motive to reduce for Apple is not cost-cutting - the cure ing due to substance misuse and/or poor social inequality, but they do have a clear for Apple is to innovate its way out of its mental health. But statutory cuts have financial incentive: social inequality has current predicament.” We need to be inno- been made, reducing the charity’s ability been shown to cost the NHS billions each vative about reducing the neglect of chil- to cover childcare and travel costs and year. Despite the clear moral and financial dren that takes place within society, within provided a hot meal, whilst the state subsi- imperative to tackle social inequality, the our health system and within the state dises the restaurants our leaders dine in. IFS predicts child poverty will rise sharply as a whole. The current Bill will simply Parenting is a challenge, regardless (after nine years of falling) as a result of result in increased fragmentation of the of ones position on the socio-economic
22 Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine spectrum. However, is utterly hypocritical About the Fabian Society for Cameron to pose as the ‘ideal parent’ whilst cutting state and third sector support The Fabian Society has played a cen- About the Fabian Women's Network for families. Families across the socio- tral role for more than a century in the economic spectrum benefit from working development of political ideas and public The Fabian Women’s Network was tax credits, childcare vouchers, school policy on the left of centre. Analysing launched in January 2005 and is run by a breakfast clubs, holiday play schemes, chil- the key challenges facing the UK and committee of volunteers. It is part of the By Sara Hamilton dren’s centres and libraries. By threatening the rest of the industrialised world in a voluntary section of the Fabian Society, all of these providers of parental support, changing society and global economy, alongside local Societies and the Young the government sends out a message that it the society's programme aims to explore Fabians. The Fabian Women’s Network does not value the contribution of parents to the political ideas and the policy reforms aims to bring people together to: society as a whole. I receive more status in which will define progressive politics in society as a doctor, yet I have the potential the new century. The society is unique Create a thriving network for social and to contribute more to society as a parent. among think-tanks in being a democrati- political change. We do not acknowledge the ‘invisible job’ cally-constituted membership organisa- Connect Fabian networks with Fabian parents do. Regularly in my job I see parents tion. It is affiliated to the Labour Party Women Parliamentarians. (often sole) struggling to meet the needs of but is editorially and organisationally Provide new ways in which women from a disabled or chronically ill child (and those independent. Associate membership of all backgrounds and sectors can engage in of their healthy siblings). These unpaid, the Fabian Society is open to all, regard- topical policy debate. unacknowledged caregivers lack sufficient less of political persuasion. respite care, adequate housing or input from The Network has held a number of high overstretched therapists. I no longer ask profile receptions and policy discussions parents, particularly mothers, ‘do you work?’ The Society has approx 7000 members of and regularly works with voluntary sector Instead I ask, ‘are you also in paid employ- which around 2000 are women. organisations on areas including women ment?’. The primary caregiver in families and pensions, women and work and family is often the mother - but that should not To join, visit our website www.fabians.org. related policy. Speakers at events have detract from the affording fathers equal uk or contact membership officer Giles included Cabinet Ministers, Ministers, importance in contributing to the welfare of Wright on 020 7227 4904 or giles.wright@ representatives from leading charities or the next generation (irrespective of whether fabian-society.org.uk agencies, business, academics and media. or not the parents are in a relationship with one another). The Fatherhood Institute that campaigns for “laws, policies and public services to encourage and enable fathers to invest more of their time and energy in the direct care of their children. We want all health, education, family and children’s services to be ‘father-inclusive’ – that is, to support fathers in their caring roles as seri- ously as they currently support mothers.”
I began this piece by echoing Toynbee’s question, “where is the voice of real outrage?” Silence and inaction is not a valid response from either the state nor those of us who pertain to caring about the future generation, or indeed society. I end with the words of Michael Marmot, whose review on The home of community organising inequality presented the moral and financial within the Labour Movement imperative for the state to invest in our future generations: www.movementforchange.org.uk
“The health and well-being of today’s children depend on us having the courage and imagi- @M4COnline nation to rise to the challenge of doing things #M4CWomwn differently, to put sustainability and well-being before economic growth and bring about a more equal and fair society.”
Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine 23 The Economic Alternative: Fabian New Year Conference 2012
Keynote: Ed Balls MP
Saturday 14th January 2012 - 9am Institute of Education, 20 Bedford Way, London WC1H 0AL
Join the Fabian Women's Network event morning breakout event Women, the crisis and politics
Featuring: Polly Toynbee (Guardian), Seema Malhotra (MP for Feltham and Heston), David Coats (Research Fellow at the Smith Institute), Vera Baird (former Solicitor General, pilot of the Equality Act) Chair: Ivana Bartoletti (Editor of Fabiana)
Come and meet members of the FWN committee and find out more about the Fabian Women's Network - join us at our stall!
To register for the Fabian New Year Conference visit www.fabians.org.uk
Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine