fabiana ISSUE # 5 The Fabian Women's Network Magazine SPRING 2013 Women and work: redefining the rules of the game

Featuring

Ed Balls · Seema Malhotra · Aysha Raza Frances O'Grady · Meg Munn · Fiona Mactaggart

Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine Fabiana Spring 2013 Contents

Fabiana is the magazine of the Fabian Women’s Editorial 3 Network (FWN). Ivana Bartoletti The articles represent the views of the writers only The working strategy 4 and not the collective view of FWN. Seema Molhotra MP Is One Nation Labour building 5 an economy Editor: Ivana Bartoletti Interview with Ed Balls MP Deputy editor: Suki Ferguson Fullfilment after fifty 6 Designed by: jamesenglishdesign.com Fiona McTaggart MP Illustrations: Amy Wolfe (amykatewolfe.blogspot.com) Let’s stop the ‘back to the kitchen-sink’ policy 7 Interview with Frances O'Grady Reshaping business norms 8 FWN Director: Seema Malhotra MP Karen Landles Email: [email protected] Book Review 9 Twitter: @FabianWomen Felicity Slater Website: http://www.fabianwomen.co.uk Working together: 10 Joe Dromey A matter of choice 11 Fabian Society General Secretary: Andrew Harrop Sarah Hayward Fabian Society membership: Giles Wright 020 7227 4904 How is gender inequality being 12 Young Fabians: www.youngfabians.org.uk challenged in the EU? Interview with Zita Gurmai MEP Defending the ECHR 13 Fabian Women’s Network Maeve McCormack c/o Fabian Society Where are our female scientists? 14 11 Dartmouth Street Meg Munn MP London SW1H 9BN The four stages of disillusionment 15 Telephone: 020 7227 4900 Fax: 020 7976 7153 Sue Ferns Budding female potential in STEM 16 Dr Aysha Raza Standing together: partners in peace 17 Lee Webster Abortion and the law 18-19 Lauren Milden Workplace sexism and sexual harassment 20 Twitter: @FabianWomen Laura Bates Want your voice to be heard? 21 Kate Talbot Making a lasting difference 22 Holly Dustin Farewell, Greta Karpin (1932 - 2012) 23 facebook.com/FabianWomen Jennette Arnold

Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine Welcome to the fifth issue Ivana Bartoletti of Fabiana! Editor

ur magazine is growing from strength too often opt for the latter. It is not just ties and creating our shared values. A few Oto strength, and so is the Fabian Wom- unfair to them but is also a great loss for days later, Tory MP Richard Graham sug- en's Network. My heartfelt thanks go to our country and its ability to recover from a gested that high heels and a mini skirts Suki Ferguson, Felicity Slater and Sarah long recession. are not the best way for women to protect Hutchinson for playing a key role in put- Affordable childcare and better themselves from rape - as if violence is a ting this issue together and to the fantastic paid jobs for women are key to get the consequence of a choice of clothing, rather team of Fabian women, whose relentless economy going. It was a great pleasure than a man's brutal behaviour. There is work has put FWN at the forefront of femi- to discuss these issues at length with still so much to be done in this area, and I nism in Britain. Frances O'Grady. The TUC leader speaks would like to highlight the many fantastic This issue continues the debate in Fabiana about how we need more organisations working with both women on how One Nation Labour can work for women in the economy to grow the econ- and men to put women's dignity and free- women. The coalition government perse- omy itself. Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls, doms at the heart of the policy agenda. veres with their reckless plans to foment in a wide-ranging interview with Felic- Austere times mean that women's a divided Britain. Not only have their aus- ity Slater, makes a similar point, stress- rights are at risk of being pushed back terity policies failed, as the International ing how a One Nation economy will only thirty years. This is happening not just in Monetary Fund recently remarked whilst work if 'you use the talents of all.' Britain but everywhere across Europe. encouraging Osborne to prepare a plan Other writers explore further Zita Gurmai, MEP for Hungary and Presi- B, but these policies are undermining our themes which underpin a One Nation dent of the Party of European Social- social cohesion, pitting old against young, economy: Fiona Mactaggart MP discusses ists' Women's organisation, discusses those who are in work against those who the 'sandwich generation' and the contri- in Fabiana how the policies of austerity aren't, British against migrants. And bution it can make to our society. Now that are impacting women, who often rely on they are succeeding in widening the gap life is much longer and the welfare state the essential services now under threat. between men and women too. so lean, older women are often squeezed We have had another taste of what this As Seema Malhotra MP writes between looking after their nieces and means: in his recent speech on Europe, in our magazine, 'this government has a nephews as well as their older parents. designed to appease his vociferous euro- deep prejudice against women - a preju- Joe Dromey analyses how the culture of sceptics, rather than standing up for Brit- dice so deep that it has seen women hit workplaces needs to change too, to tackle ain's best interest, David Cameron said he hardest every time.' Seema explains how presenteeism, introduce more flexibility wants to repatriate powers from Brussels. 'long term unemployment has increased and encourage employees to achieve a As women in Britain, we know what he by over 100,000 since the election, but better work-life balance. is alluding to: the set of employment and with a shocking 89% of that increase to be How women can grow the econ- social rights which protect our maternity found among women. Two-thirds of those omy and in the economy is what we will be rights and champion equal pay. affected overall by the 1% benefit and tax focusing on in the months ahead. And to The reality is that just when you think credit freeze are women, and new moth- do so, we will keep up our close work with it could not get any worse with the Tories, ers are losing a shocking total of £1,300 Your Britain and the policy review team. it does. If it is true, as the polls show, that during pregnancy and the baby's first year Our work will encompass other issues too. women are turning their backs to them, then due to cuts to maternity pay, pregnancy Just a few weeks ago, we hosted Diane we need to make sure we capitalise on this. support and tax credits.' Abbott's keynote speech on hyper-sexu- And not just in terms of votes, but also as an Families are struggling to make alisation of our society and the pressure it opportunity to propose a radical plan which ends meet. Costs of childcare are spiral- places on children. Once again, address- people can trust, rooted in women's every- ling. In the UK, we have the second-most ing this issue is not about being moralistic. day lives, opportunities and choices. expensive childcare costs in Europe, just It is about asserting that as a society we after Switzerland. This, coupled with the need to embrace women's self-determi- I hope you enjoy this issue of Fabiana gender pay gap, explains why women, nation, choice and freedom as the healthy and, as always, please do get in touch with when facing the stark choice of return- values underpinning our relationships; as ideas and if you wish to contribute. See you ing to work or putting their career on hold, the tenets holding together our communi- soon at the next FWN event!

Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine 3 Seema Malhotra is the Labour Co-operative MP for Feltham and Heston and The working the Director of the Fabian Women’s Network. strategy Neither Labour nor the country can afford to leave women behind By Seema Malhotra

ust when you think it couldn’t get However, this government’s deep to the UK economy - incredible espe- Jworse with the Tory-led coalition prejudice against women - which has cially when women are only half as likely government, it does. Yet again, this gov- seen women hit hardest every time - as men to set up a business to begin ernment has hit women hardest with its also manifests itself in other ways. Last with. Home Office research also sug- benefits changes, as ordinary people year I met a woman in my constituency gests that £42 billion would be added to pay the price for ministers’ economic who had lost her job and had decided the UK economy if we had the same level failure. Long term unemployment has to set up her own business. Having got of female entrepreneurship as in the US, increased by over 100,000 since the through the set up stage, she was strug- and if women started businesses at the election - but a shocking 89% of that gling to make it grow and had no idea same rate as men there could be an addi- increase is among women. A recent arti- where to go to seek advice and support. tional 150,000 extra start-ups each year cle in the Guardian showed that 98% Looking further at recent data in the UK. of those hit by Child Benefit changes on new women-led businesses suggests from 7 January 2013 were also women - also a gender gap in entrepreneurship. including women on low pay, or at home Results for the New Enterprise Allow- ‘Women often have with small children with partners earn- ance Scheme, which was created to ing more than £50,000 a year. help young unemployed people start less developed personal their own business show just 17% of those benefiting from the scheme in networks which are so ‘Not having a strategy 2011 were female. Recent analysis sug- gests this now stands at 28%, but it is vital for getting informal for women and work is still much too low. In the Evening Standard I recently support, and seem to clearly carrying a heavy called for a new strategy for women’s entrepreneurship. The response since the struggle to access finance. price tag for the country.’ article was published has been incred- ible, with women from Hounslow, Ealing, A further issue appears Harrow, Lambeth and Hackney emailing In addition, two-thirds of those to support the call and share their own to be access to quality affected overall by the 1% benefit and tax stories. There is a huge gulf between credit freeze are women. This is because their lives and Whitehall, and not helped business support that around 90% of lone parents are female, by the demise of Business Link. Women which according to the Impact Assess- often have less developed personal net- meets their needs’ ment is the family type most likely to be works which are so vital for getting infor- affected. House of Commons Library fig- mal support, and seem to struggle to ures also reveal that 4.6 million women access finance. A further issue appears The collective impact of the rela- who receive child tax credit directly will be to be access to quality business support tionship between women and the econ- affected by Benefits Uprating Bill. This is that meets their needs. omy is clear. Not having a strategy for often referred to as the ‘Strivers Tax,’ as Women often set up community women and work is clearly carrying a 68% of households affected by the govern- businesses as a lifestyle choice, which heavy price tag for the country. And as ment’s measures are in work. also enables an alternative balancing women leave the workplace, it becomes The 1% uprating also affects between work and personal life, particu- harder to keep skills up to date and step Maternity Pay, and adds around £4 per larly when combined with caring respon- back into alternative work.The loss of week in ‘Mummy Tax’ for 340,000 new moth- sibilities.This can also be in addition economic power can impact independ- ers. Because of the coalition’s actions, to being employed - and an additional ence, morale and well being. Supporting new mothers are losing a shocking total income route. A report by the Women’s women’s economic contribution in a way of £1,300 during pregnancy and the baby’s Enterprise Task Force which ran from that works for them is key for women’s first year due to cuts to maternity pay, 2006-2009 found that businesses run by progress, for families and is also vital for pregnancy support and tax credits. women contribute £130 billion annually Britain’s economic recovery.

4 Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine One Nation Labour: working for women? Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls MP answers FWN questions, By Seema Malhotra by Felicity Slater

What would a one nation economy How does this fit with our narrative as Not only the closures, what really worries me look like? a party? Ed Miliband argues that Labour at the moment is that Sure Start’s concept and feminism belong together. What is and aims are being shrunk back into a those We need big change in the way the econ- crucial to attracting women’s votes? of a drop-in centre. That isn’t enough. Let’s not omy works. Unless it is growing, getting lose that bigger vision. fairer and stronger in the long term, then You have to start by having authentic wom- Parents today are concerned about we’re not going to be able to deliver higher en’s voices at all levels of the party, from the the cost and affordability of childcare – but not living standards, create more opportunity leadership and shadow cabinet right down at the expense of quality. The government has and also get the deficit down. to our marginal and safe seat candidates. a view that the way to support working par- I think one nation is quite a good We’ve made massive progress on that in the ents is just to make it cheaper, and we’ll just way to think about that. It’s about reform, last decade. do that by getting rid of the Ofsted inspec- enabling the talents of all and, quite tions regime – thinking that it would be popu- distinctly from David Cameron and lar. My experience is that it’s not; childminders George Osborne’s policies, understand- say that quality is so important for their busi- ing that government has a role to play. ness and parents want to know about their That means banking reform, a university kids’ learning and their progress. It’s about system which is expanding opportuni- cost and quality together. ties for students of all backgrounds; and We do need to think radically about having a business investment bank. this. Although we don’t have the money for a Swedish style system, the vision of quality, Many women are finding it difficult universally available childcare is very impor- to get into the workplace. How can tant. We do need to talk about how to make they contribute to a one nation econ- this affordable and how it can support par- omy, and how will it enable women to Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls MP ents going into work rather than becoming grow? What do we do to improve the an obstacle for them. Around 32,000 women representation of women in science, Secondly, it’s about understanding peo- have given up work in the last year because for example? ple’s concerns and speaking to them. Prices of childcare costs. It’s pretty worrying. That’s are going up faster than wages; families are partly about tax credits being cut.” You have to start early in primary schools struggling to make ends meet. People look at with active efforts to make sure that girls the contrast between the top rate tax cuts and Is work not paying enough an issue? and boys know that they are equally as the cuts to tax credits and think ‘that’s not fair.’ good at maths and science. And that has Thirdly, mums, dads and grandpar- Yes. But making work pay can’t simply be to continue through secondary school. Our ents are all worried about their kids; about the done through the National Minimum Wage economy is weaker, our society poorer and next generation. We have to be the people who or living wage. If you take a single parent less fair if we allow current misconcep- respond to that and give long-term hope. with three kids, in full time work on the tions to continue. NMW, the working tax credit lifts them How do we make sure we have provi- to an hourly rate which is way, way above What about women on boards? Would sions in place for universal childcare what the NMW or living wage can deliver. you support a quota? in our manifesto for 2015? How do we That’s really good: it’s getting someone make sure we have a smart welfare into work and their kids are growing up on The culture of our business decision-making state which really empowers people? a higher income. is impoverished and held back by having too So, although I want to campaign on few women in senior executive positions. It is about children getting the best start in the living wage and enforcing the NMW, I’m not sure if it’s for government to set the life: their learning, language development and I’m also going to campaign to defend child rules, but I think any progressive organisa- socialisation; getting a catch-up or some- and working tax credits emphatically. It’s tion has to set its objectives and challenge times a head-start. Sure Start provides child- so important that we don’t lose that very its culture and I don’t think you can do that care but also plays a really important active important part of our welfare reform of the without targets and transparency. outreach role. last 50 years.

Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine 5 Fiona Mactaggart was elected MP for Slough in 1997 and founded the All- Fullfilment Parliamentary Group on Prostitution and the Global Sex Trade, and is joint secretary of the All-Parliamentary after fifty Group on Human Trafficking. We owe it to our older women to create a society in which they can thrive By Fiona McTaggart MP

“At a time when life should be easier, employees median earnings may be de- At home, older women are today’s children grown up, finances easier, you clining but is still 9.6%. But for older full ‘sandwich generation.’ They find them- find that life is harder and finances are time employees, those over 50, the gap selves stretched between dual caring used to help children.” between the earnings of men and women obligations to both their children and This was one comment made at is 23%. The ASHE data shows women’s grandchildren and their ageing parents. an event with older women I held in my pay peaking in their 30s compared with This group of women are characterised by Slough constituency this summer. The men’s pay which peaks in their 40s and the grandmother who has had to reduce disappointment was shared by others drops only slightly in their 50s. Older her own working hours to look after her who came. Insecurity was not a thing women get less pay. grandchildren because her daughter’s tax these women had anticipated facing in credits have been cut, forcing her to cut the second half of their lives. But the re- back on nursery provision. But that grand- ality is that making ends meet is a strug- ‘Many older women mother then becomes worried about the gle for this group, with many feeling care that her own elderly parents are re- that they have worked hard all their lives are worried that they ceiving. So she finds herself making time and are still experiencing pressure that for caring for her family’s elderly as well doesn’t let up. will be squeezed out of as younger generation. This situation concerns me This complex set of issues deeply. And the problems are complex. the labour market as facing older women in Britain today is Older women are being squeezed on the rationale behind the establishment many fronts – workplace, family, caring, times get tougher, facing of the Labour Party’s Older Women’s finances, pensions, services and trans- Commission. In the course of the next port all present specific issues to older an increasing challenge year, the Commission will draw on women. Yet too often older women just expert opinions, and take evidence disappear – in the media, in public life from age discrimination from support organisations and older and in government policy. This is a time women themselves, in order to build a when women become overlooked. which labels many older rounded picture of the challenges old- “First in the queue for redundan- er women are facing and the policy re- cy, last in the queue for interview” sums men as ‘distinguished’ sponse required to improve their lives. up the experience of the older women in We are grateful that Miriam O’Reilly, the workplace. And with unemployment whilst older women are a victim of age discrimination by the of women over 50 increasing at record BBC, has agreed to play a leading part levels - up 39% in the last two years com- ‘past it.’ in this work. pared to an increase of 5% in the general Many women who are 50 today population according to House of Com- will live to be 100 – a 50 year lifespan to mons Library analysis - this is not a sur- But work for the older woman is come and a second half very different prise. Many older women are justifiably a continuing reality, despite falling pay. from the first. But we owe them. This is worried that they will be squeezed out of Faced by the changing pension landscape, the generation that kick started femi- the labour market as times get tougher, working beyond pension age is increasing- nism, took the pill, campaigned for equal facing an increasing challenge from age ly a fact of life for older women. In the third pay, smashed through glass ceilings and discrimination which labels many older quarter of 2011, 61% of those working be- made progress possible for their daugh- men as ‘distinguished’ whilst older wom- yond the state pension age were women, ters and granddaughters. They deserve a en are ‘past it.’ compared to 39% for men. But two thirds later life of fulfilment not a poor reflec- The difference between work for of men working beyond retirement in 2011 tion of passed youth. men and women is clearly demonstrated were in roles classified as higher skilled, by the continuing pay gap. This year’s and two thirds of women were in lower Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings skilled jobs. Older women clearly need ac- If Fabiana readers would like to contrib- (ASHE) shows that 30 years on from the cess to fairly paid, good jobs which reflect ute to this work do get in touch with me Equal Pay Act, the pay gap for full time their skills and experience. at [email protected]

6 Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine Let's stop the ‘back to the kitchen sink’ policy TUC leader talks to Ivana Bartoletti about hope and how we need to fight apathy

he biggest enemy today is apathy, says a serious policy for jobs and growth: our vested interests and for the unions in TFrancis O'Grady: "people are blaming economy must be more balanced to work calling power into account when it comes each other rather than sticking together." for ordinary working people. It is also time to decision making. And this is what she I feel this is what she is up against, most to create decent green jobs. Second, we wants to do with theTUC, to present an of all. She mulls over the recent months, the need to invest in wages and living stand- alternative and demonstrate the unions policies of austerity with no grip on growth, ards: wages have stagnated since 2003." have a much bigger role to play. and the divided country the Tories have During the conversation, O'Grady managed to create. "We need hope', she reflects on how she thinks workers feel reflects, and sighs: 'people in Britain really today, with their wages engaged in a race need a message of hope." to the bottom while cuts slash the welfare state. She suggests the feeling of an ordi- nary worker could be "well, nobody ever ‘[It is time] to tackle the asked me," and explains how important it is for workers to play a greater role in what root causes of the crash’ happens in the workplace and in society. This is particularly true for the younger generation: "Young workers have their When O'Grady spoke to the Labour prospects stripped down, juggle unpaid Women's conference last September, internships and have fewer chances than Labour activists from across the country the generation before." The key thing, she felt a strong empathy with this passionate says, is restoring confidence: people do woman, a single mum of two who brought know who needs to be held responsible up her kids and worked her way through the Frances O'Grady is the General Secretary of for this situation and she concedes that TUC right up to the top. Her words reach the TUC Ed Miliband is doing really well in present- out to the hearts of many ordinary women, ing a much more far-reaching and radical who struggle to juggle jobs and childcare She speaks strongly in favour of the living vision of how we can profoundly change responsibilities, in these hard times of aus- wage, and about how collective bargaining our society. terity. Having her as the leader of the TUC, is crucial to better workers' conditions and "The thing is" she continues 'the biggest democratic organisation in the pay.Third, she says, "we need to tackle the "that we have to challenge the whole country', is another stepping stone for the root causes of the crash." She reflects on premise around costs: if you accept the feminist movement: amazing women are how inequality is growing in Britain and on premise that is short term, you have lost trail-blazing in politics, and she is certainly how, to challenge this, we really need a radi- the argument." She mentions childcare amongst them. In the trade union move- cal change in the way we work, starting with and asserts how all evidence demon- ment, Bernadette Segol leads the ETUC in the banking and financial system. "And we strates it is "an investment which will Brussels and Susanna Camusso heads up need a state investment bank," she adds, as pay for itself." Women need to be able the Italian largest trade union, CGIL. This is it is crucial to instilling "a culture of diver- to go to work, and to do so, they need particularly significant, in a Europe where sity" throughout the system. Diversity also "decent jobs and affordable childcare." working people are bearing the brunt of the means giving employees a much bigger Long-termism and radicalism are austerity policies and women are being hit role, she argues: "power needs to be shared recurrent words in the conversation, and the hardest. "We need to stop this back more fairly." She alludes to workers' repre- it is clear O'Grady envisages both as the to the kitchen-sink policy," Frances says. sentation on company boardrooms, with the underpinning principles of a new economic "There is still a very big pay gap between same rights of every other board member. policy and the welfare state. And so, when men and women...to balance the family But, more generally, she reflects on the role I ask her how she sees the welfare state books, women's incomes are still too often of the unions. Pondering how the govern- in today's society, she responds: "It has to perceived as more disposable." ments of austerity throughout Europe are make it more sense to make it collectively By the way she talks, you can feel attacking the unions and their role in soci- than individually." For women, for work- a real outcry for a change in direction. "We ety, the leader of the TUC calls for a much ers, I think this is what the challenge is all need to do three things. First, we need greater role for civic society in tackling about, and she is ready to lead on it.

Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine 7 Karen Landles is a CLP representative for the South East on the National Policy Reshaping business Forum. She previously stood in parliamentary and European elections and is currently on the executive committee for Labour norms Finance and Industry Group. Labour still has a long way to go to work for women By Karen Landles

et me share one story of a woman it into top roles, despite them making leave in 1973 but take-up increased in the LI have been working with after her up 57% of the executive workforce and 90s after further reforms. husband asked me for help. An expe- women are more likely to be made redun- Legislation and policy will deliver rienced senior manager in retail with dant. European research also shows that, results. We can see that from the experi- MS, she was ecstatic to learn that she across the EU, once redundant women ences of other countries who have gone was pregnant after she had given up take longer to get back into work. ahead of us. Practicalities are not the only hope. She went to her employer on a We know this is not just about barrier to women being freed to work by Thursday with the news; the follow- fairness. If we fully used the skills and men sharing the caring. ing Monday she was put on notice of qualifications of women currently out redundancy. It being clear she would of work, figures tell us it could deliver be the one to be made redundant she economic benefits of between £15 and ‘For women to be moved in to a grievance procedure. £21 billion every year. If women set up businesses at the same rate as men, freed to reach the top there would be an extra 150,000 start- ‘Women at all pay ups in the UK each year, business our we also need men to economy needs. Equality and econom- levels need support in ics make sense. share parenting from the As a party though, we still have a both understanding fair bit to do. In 2010 The Fawcett Soci- beginning’ ety surveyed election candidates on their their current rights commitment to action on women’s ine- quality. Tories were particularly poor at An OECD report into ‘the unpaid and how to fight for 2%, Labour was at 23% and the Liberals economy’ last year showed that out-of- at 20%. Being better than the Tories is not work fathers in Britain spend on aver- them, especially when a great rallying cry; we need real answers age just 63 minutes caring for their chil- to the problems women face at home, in dren compared with 81 minutes spent pregnant’ society and in the workplace. by working mums or 105 minutes for an Women at all pay levels need sup- unemployed Australian man. We need to port in both understanding their current address the cultural perceptions around In the meeting, whilst cramping rights and how to fight for them, espe- women as sole primary carers, percep- with pain, she was told if she left then cially when pregnant. Unions play an tions held by fathers and perceptions the grievance would be over. Finally she impressive part in organisations where held by businesses. left for maternity leave 1 ½ months early they exist, but for many working in the The journey starts with us in with the redundancy delayed till her private sector a union isn’t currently in the Labour Party ensuring that wom- return, hospitalised for stress related the picture. In government we could help en’s equality is a priority for us in our problems with her pregnancy. incentivise business to think more crea- next manifesto and in government. Another woman, a board member tively about flexibility in hours, working How will we measure our success? For of a large corporation, was encouraged from home and how that can actually me our measures are threefold: in the to change role whilst on maternity leave - help cut business costs. But for women number of women we have standing for only to discover that the role was then to be freed to reach the top we also need Parliament to represent our gender; made redundant and her with it. These to enable men to share parenting from clear policies around women’s rights are everyday experiences for women in the beginning. along with a clear narrative about what the workplace, and during this recession The new flexible parental leave is that will look like to women in their the situation has become worse. an excellent step forward. We aren’t ahead daily lives not in the abstract; and a A few weeks ago the Institute of the field in this area, which means we majority at least of our Labour candi- of Management launched research show- can learn from the successful policies of dates should show they understand ing the gender pay gap has increased others ahead of us across Europe. Sweden, the importance of our stand in the pre- since 2010. Only one in four females make for example, introduced shared parental election Fawcett survey.

8 Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine On the Edge: The Contested Cultures of English Suburbia Book review: By Rupa Huq, Lawence & Wishart, 2013 Review by Felicity Slater

Felicity Slater is Outreach of On the Edge: from a 1950s cliché, our which they view these issues necessar- and Membership Officer at Progress suburbs have gradually evolved and ily vary, their reactions are often less their inhabitants diversified. divergent. Regardless of region, ethnic- Huq sets about demonstrating ity or religion, suburban inhabitants By Karen Landles that there is “no such thing as a typical are feeling the pinch; their confidence suburbanite”. Indeed, as 80 per cent of in ever-improving living standards col- us are suburb dwellers any perception lapsing. The final theme of insecurity, of homogeneity – cultural or otherwise fed by economic uncertainty, is there- n the Edge is a compelling account – is inescapably incomplete. Using fore highly fitting, giving the book so Oof England's evolving suburbs. De- qualitative data gathered in a wealth of acute a resonance today. tailed and incisive, it comes as a welcome interviews, Huq addresses the issues On the Edge is essential read- addition to relatively scant research into of politics, citizenship, faith, consum- ing for those seeking to understand the the environs and cultures of the majority erism, extremism and insecurity in shifting patchwork of contemporary of the population. suburban England, neutralising and, at England’s suburbs and, ultimately, how The riots of summer 2011 form the times, entirely deconstructing myriad Labour might shape its policy and craft starting point for Rupa Huq’s study. Noto- popularly held myths. a political narrative that resonates riously having flared up in deprived inner Nonetheless, given macro is- with them. For although they lie on the cities and well-to-do leafy suburbs alike, sues such as globalisation and the edge of our towns and cities they are, the violence and looting jolted a nation financial crash, our suburbanites, di- by sheer size alone, the heart of our out of its popular yet outdated ideas of verse though they are, are overwhelm- country. A Labour party that underesti- sleepy suburbia. Exploring this shift, crys- ingly faced with similar challenges. mates the importance of this fact does tallised by the riots, is the central theme Although the cultural prisms through so at its peril.

Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine 9 Joe Dromey is the Head of Policy and Research at the Involvement and Striking a good Participation Association (IPA). work life balance Responsible employers and the government can work together to achieve better workplaces By Joe Dromey

he rising number of women in the time working – can help. Flexible work- This is not and should not be about Tworkplace over the last fifty years ing has become more common in recent women alone. If we focus only on increas- has been little short of a revolution. But years though access remains patchy; ing women’s access to flexible working, we the revolution is incomplete. The employ- private sector workers and those with risk reinforcing the view that they should be ment rate for women remains 10% lower management responsibilities find it primarily responsible for childcare. The recent than for men. Whereas 84% of mothers more difficult to return on a part-time or progress in terms of paternity leave is a wel- in Denmark are in work, in Britain just flexible basis. come step towards a more equitable division 67% are. Although narrowing, the pay gap A further increase in opportuni- of caring responsibilities. A colleague of mine remains. The higher you get in an orgsa- ties for flexible working could help re- has just gone on four months of paternity move the remaining barriers to women’s leave following the birth of his first child. It participation in the labour market. The seems to me that encouraging and allowing ‘Equal opportunity government’s plans to give all employ- more men both to take up paternity leave and ees the right to request flexible working flexible working must be part of the solution. and flexible working is a step in the right direction. But this alone is not sufficient. can’t be just a response Equal opportunity and flexible working ‘The glass ceiling has can’t be just a response to a legal im- to a legal imperative. perative. We need more than a grudging been chipped but remains compliance with regulation if we are to We need more than a achieve true fairness and equality. Part in place.’ of this is about convincing employers of grudging compliance the benefits of working flexibly. There is ample evidence here. Employees in Although employers can do more, with regulation if we are companies where flexible working is there remains an important role for the govern- the norm have higher levels of engage- ment. Aside from the extension of the right to to achieve true fairness ment and wellbeing; they are more loyal request flexible working, the Coalition has not and committed; they are more produc- helped women manage the work-life balance. and equality.’ tive. Research by DWP showed that six The cost of childcare in Britain is in ten SMEs who introduced flexible amongst the highest in the world yet the working saw an increase in productiv- government have done nothing. IPPR make a tion, the more male it is; at any point ity and seven in ten employers noticed compelling case for universal childcare and there have never been more than five an improvement in employee relations. their proposals would be a welcome addition women chief executives in the FTSE100. This is not just touchy-feely stuff. It to Labour’s manifesto in 2015. Perhaps the The glass ceiling has been chipped, but matters to the bottom line. most regressive move in terms of women it remains in place. The lack of flexible work is by no in work has been the Coalition’s cuts to tax It is still the norm for women means the only obstacle to women’s credits. By reducing the support available to who do work to bear the brunt of the participation in the workplace. Culture working parents, they are making it more dif- childcare. Our ageing population means matters too. Employers need to provide ficult to strike that work-life balance, pushing many women are also caring for elderly a working environment that is open and many women to give up their jobs and forcing relatives; creating what has been called inclusive for women. We need to break an extra 100,000 children into poverty. the ‘sandwich generation’. open the closed boys-club culture still It is clear that this government Employers have an important role prevalent in so many organisations. Sig- either doesn’t understand, or doesn’t to play here; both in removing obstacles nificant decisions shouldn’t be made care about the pressures on hard-working to women’s participation and in helping in the pub after work and promotions women. As part of our One Nation ap- them achieve a good work-life balance. mustn’t be denied to women who’ve proach, we can make a powerful case for Doing this is not rocket science. Flex- taken time out or work part time to look change with responsible employers and ible working – whether it be job-sharing, after kids. Having more women at the top the government working together to help compressed hours, flexitime, or part- will help deliver this culture change. women strike that work life balance.

10 Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine Cllr Sarah Hayward is the Leader of Camden Childcare is a Council

matter of choice Affordable childcare plays a key role in our future By Joe Dromey economic prosperity. By Cllr Sarah Hayward

ust three weeks after his inaugura- Provision of childcare and our benefits changes from next April will Jtion Obama signed the American attitude to it is a choice. The changes exacerbate the problem. So now we're Recovery and Reinvestment Act in to to the tax credits - reducing the per- finding the money to reinstate 25 hours law. The act pumped $800m in to the US centage of childcare that is covered of free care for all three and four year economy and ultimately stopped them from 80% to 70% - save a little over olds. We've worked with the voluntary sliding in to a double dip recession. The £300m per year. This is a lot of money. sector to continue to provide some headlines were infrastructure, jobs and But in the context of deficit reduction after school and holiday activities that growth. But the act also set aside tens and what parents could be contribut- put most other councils to shame. of billions for childcare and for working ing through tax revenue it is small and families with children. short-sighted. But this is the choice the coali- ‘Through our cuts tion has made. ‘If we're really to crack In Camden we have made differ- programme we've sought ent choices. We have a long history of childcare and ensure investing in high quality childcare. We to protect as much were a pioneer of Sure Start and the families aren't locked last Labour Government's and have in- childcare as possible.’ vested in the wrap around care - break- out of the workplace, fast and after school clubs - that allow parents to work or study full time. But there are limits to what we can then we need a much The coalition inflicted deep, up- achieve alone. The budget pressures on front cuts on local government. Hitting councils are immense. The coalition are bigger push’ poorer areas like Camden harder than committed to more cuts, costs of statutory more affluent areas. We faced a budget services like adult social care is rising with gap of £83m over three years. We antici- no additional funds. We've already had to Back on this side of the Atlantic pate we'll face a further £50m from the cut discretionary services. And there will be it's difficult to see how things could get spending review expected at the end of more pressure on these budgets as more worse for working parents or those that next year. cuts are made and more spending commit- want to but can't. But through our cuts programme ments are mandated without the resources The UK has the second highest we've sought to protect as much child- to deliver them. childcare costs in the OECD. Just two care as possible. In Camden we're taking a longer thirds of mothers with children under While childcare costs are spi- term look at public services through our the age of 15 work. Childcare costs are ralling across the UK the problem is Equalities Taskforce. Families and Children eating up an ever higher proportion of particularly acute in central London. in poverty is a key area of work and so the income. And yet the coalition is making Families, on seemingly good salaries, costs and availability of childcare will, childcare more and more unaffordable. are often faced with the stark reality I'm sure, come under close scrutiny. Key Cuts to tax credits and budgets that re-entering the workplace simply to this taskforce is having all the sectors for childcare provision mean that the doesn't pay. This can have a long term round the table. options for parents are diminishing. This impact on the caring parent's career Because if we're really to crack will get worse when universal credit is prospects. In turn this can have a long childcare and ensure families aren't introduced from next April. term impact on the child. When work locked out of the workplace, then we Too many UK parents face a stark doesn't pay, it doesn't help families out need a much bigger push. We need to choice of returning to work for little of poverty. work with employers, the voluntary financial benefit or putting their career In Camden we tried means test- sector, with national government and on hold. Women are still the main carers ing some of our discretionary provision with families to help provide, safe, high in the UK and are still the main losers for three and four year olds, but just a quality and enriching care and to en- when childcare is unaffordable. The pic- couple of months in it's not working, sure that all parents can play a key role ture is even starker for single parents. it's forcing parents from work and the in our future economic prosperity.

Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine 11 How is gender inequality being challenged in the EU? An interview with Zita Gurmai MEP, by Felicity Slater

What impact has EU membership had Finally, although unemployment Today, there is a backlash against wom- on women’s lives in member states? rates vary from one member state to an- en’s rights and gender equality in Europe. What have been the key advances for other, in the countries hit the hardest by the Their sexual and reproductive health and women? crisis, such as Greece and Spain, it tends to rights are being disputed in several mem- be higher amongst women than men. ber states: the very conservative Hungar- Undoubtedly, EU membership has had a ian government has enshrined the right positive impact on women’s lives. Gender to life from conception in its new ‘con- equality and respect of women’s rights stitution’; Poland is currently discussing are a prerequisite to join the Union and is a bill which would limit a women’s right enshrined in the EU treaties. Furthermore, to choose even more than its extremely since the Union was founded, there has restrictive abortion law already allows; been a shift from economic principles to and abortion is still illegal in Malta and in human rights, anti-discrimination and Ireland, where a young woman died last justice values. year because she was denied an abortion The founding treaty of the EU in which could have saved her life. 1957 included an article on equal pay. With the adoption of the Lisbon Treaty in In many member states, women’s 2009, we moved from a purely economic rights NGOs, including those pro- union towards a union of values. In it, viding services for women victims the principles of non-discrimination and Zita Gurmai MEP is the President of PES Women. of gender-based violence, no longer equality are reiterated. Moreover, the have sufficient resources due to Lisbon Treaty gives legal recognition to What is the Party of European Social- budget cuts. the Charter of Fundamental Rights, which ists (PES) doing now to reinforce and clearly states that any discrimination further women’s rights and equality in As for women’s participation in deci- is prohibited and that equality between the crisis? sion-making, the situation is still un- women and men must be ensured in all equal: only 24% of members of national areas. Nevertheless, this legislation is PES Women has been highlighting this parliaments are women and only 8% of not always effectively implemented. ‘trompe l’oeil’ we are urging European leaders those in the highest decision-making and national governments to always include a bodies of Europe’s 300 largest publicly How is austerity affecting women gender perspective in their policies to address listed firms are women. across Europe? What are the key the crisis and push for growth and jobs, such So, for the 2014 European elec- shared experiences and divergences as in the European Youth Guarantee. tions, it is crucial that we, as progres- from one state to another? One of PES Women’s priorities for sives, send a clear and strong message 2013 is to tackle poverty and the gender to European women and men: there is The crisis is having a ‘trompe l’oeil’ effect pay gap through robust socio-economic a clear difference between having a on women’s employment across Europe. policies for women. In the EU, 17% of all right- or left-wing government, espe- First, it hit the construction, automobile and women live in poverty, while the gender cially when it comes to women’s rights financial sectors, which are traditionally pay gap is still 16.4%! The crisis should and gender equality! We want to take male-dominated. Men have thus been more not be used as an excuse for not bridging women’s rights forward and not back- affected by jobs destruction than women. the gender pay gap. Member states should wards. We want equal participation of However, after the first wave, many commit to reducing it by 2% a year, until women and men right across society. (largely right wing) European governments wage equality has been reached. We want to give women their own voices adopted austerity-only measures to tackle and choices and not be told what to do the crisis, in the public sector. This is having What do you think about the current nor sent back home. We will therefore a disproportionate impact on women: not situation in Europe? What kind of nar- have a strong women’s strategy for only are they mostly employed in the public rative can we develop in every member 2014 to get women on board, because sector, but it is they who benefit most from state for 2014, in particular with regard we will not win these elections without public services. to women? women’s votes.

12 Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine Maeve McCormack is Policy and Briefings manager at the Catholic AdvancingDefending humanthe ECHR Education Service in England and Wales rights Past EuropeanECHR rulings Court have of Human and will rights set good rulings precedents have setfor goodUK justice precedents for UK justice By Maeve McCormack

he European Court of Human Rights One of the earliest ECHR cases was In the 1993 case of Tyrer v United T(ECHR) has been in the headlines of when Ireland brought a case against the Kingdom the Court found that the UK gov- late following its ruling that the UK gov- UK government in order to raise its con- ernment had breached the Convention by ernment should rethink its blanket ban cerns about the use of the ‘five techniques’ allowing the use of corporal punishment in on allowing prisoners to vote. This has against suspected members of the IRA. the form of ‘birching’ as a punishment for naturally been followed by the predict- These techniques included subjecting assault. Following the Court’s ruling the able calls from the right for the UK to prisoners to continuous noise and depriv- UK government altered its approach and withdraw from the Court’s jurisdiction, ing them of sleep and were used to aid no British court has sanctioned corporal together with claims that the Court is interrogations. The Court found that they punishment since then. Again, it would be costly and bureaucratic, and that it seeks amounted to inhuman and degrading treat- hard to argue now that this ruling didn’t to impose a European notion of human ment and were thus prohibited under the help to make the UK a better place to live. rights that is far removed from our Brit- European Convention on Human Rights. These are but two examples but they ish understanding of civil liberties. That didn’t stop the British judge in the demonstrate the extent to which ECHR judg- Whilst it may be true that the Court could case from asserting that “to many people, ments can alter national policy for the better. adopt a speedier and more cost-effective Labour can be proud of its human rights approach to the resolution of alleged record as the party that ratified the Conven- human rights abuses, withdrawal must ‘Yes, it is still costly, tion in 1951 and, with the introduction of the be opposed by Labour if we are to retain Human Rights Act in 1998, actively brought our credibility as the party of equality slow and bureaucratic, the principles underpinning European human and fairness. rights law into our domestic law. The ECHR International courts are easy to but the ECHR has also is a rare international court in that its judg- criticise – you only need to look at the ments can create political change, but if its huge sums of money that have been spent done more to further the member states begin to flout its rulings or on the International Criminal Court has threaten to remove themselves from its juris- cost in the last 15 years and compare this advancement of human diction then its authority will be undermined. to the lack of tangible outcomes it has The UK doesn’t always get things right when achieved to see how easy it is to criti- rights in Europe than any it comes to human rights and we need an cise these clunky mechanisms for enact- international body to intervene at times. ing international justice. But that’s where other system’ Equally, if the UK were to leave the Council the ECHR is noticeably different. Yes, of Europe we would lose the moral authority it is still costly, slow and bureaucratic, to condemn other countries’ rights records. but it has also done more to further the several of the techniques would not cause The ECHR has intervened in advancement of human rights in Europe ‘suffering’ properly so called at all, and countless cases from across Europe than any other system. The power of the certainly not ‘intense’ suffering.” Never- where violence against women has been Court lies in the fact that the member theless, the Court ruled by an overwhelm- tolerated by the state, and in doing states, by and large, feel obliged to imple- ing majority that there had been a viola- so has undoubtedly saved lives. It has ment its judgments, since the chief prob- tion of Convention rights and the UK has refused to tolerate domestic violence lem with international courts is that they never condoned the use of such inter- in Slovakia, Bulgaria and Croatia, and have no enforcement mechanisms. This rogation techniques since then. It would has intervened in cases of rape brought means that member states of the Council have been easy for the UK to withdraw against the Netherlands, Turkey and of Europe (the body which oversees the from the Court’s jurisdiction following this Russia, to name but a few examples of its ECHR) often feel compelled to behave in judgment and claim that it represented protection of women’s basic rights. Even a way that they consider unpalatable and an unjustifiable intrusion on to UK sover- if we don’t agree with every one of its contrary to their national identity, but it eignty (especially since we were dealing decisions, it has, in general been a force has meant that Europe is a fairer, safer with people accused of involvement in ter- for good in Europe, and Labour must place to live as a result. To demonstrate rorism). Yet in following the Court’s judg- defend its human rights record by contin- this, let’s look at just a couple of examples ment the then government enabled the UK uing to support the UK’s membership of from the UK. to become a safer and fairer country. this important institution.

Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine 13 Meg Munn is the Labour and Co-operative MP for Where are our Sheffield Heeley.

female scientists? They are out there - but we must back them By Meg Munn MP

any businesses report that they it’s no surprise that few girls decide to Over the past year I have met edu- Mstruggle to recruit qualified staff in tread this ground. Once a young person cation and business leaders across the the science, technology and engineering has set on a particular educational path region with the aim of making South York- sectors – the very areas that we need to it can be hard to change and complete a shire the first choice for female scientists, develop and grow if the UK is to remain new set of subjects. engineers and technologists. I’ve met many one of the world’s top economies. To In Sheffield we are lucky to have inspirational and highly motivated women make the situation worse, we have over a role model who is simply inspiring. and men who are working hard, leading 70% of female graduates of these very Ruth Amos is running her own company; innovative companies and exporting prod- subjects not working in these fields. This she is just 23 years old. She designed a ucts around the world. We’ve discussed situation threatens the UK’s chance of product called the StairSteady as part of how we might work together to train and keeping pace with the rapidly growing her GCSE Resistant Materials Course, support girls and women. leading-edge economies of the world. to help people who have difficulty using the stairs but do not have the space or the money for a stair lift. It really took off ‘Many of the business ‘The role models for when Ruth competed against thousands of applicants to win the Young Engineer leaders I’ve met are willing young women considering for Britain 2006. But encouraging girls and young to support measures to [SET] careers are scarce’ women into these areas is not enough if the culture in the workplace doesn’t make [change] happen’ change. It’s hard to appreciate the scale With a minority of qualified of sexist remarks and outright bullying women actually going on to work as that some women experience at work. Sheffield University’s engineer- scientists, technologists or engineers, Sexist remarks aimed at young women ing department has already acted by the role models for young women con- that remain unchallenged by colleagues appointing a professor working 50% of sidering these careers are scarce. The and managers can result in misery and her time on this issue. The University of Institute of Engineering and Technol- the woman leaving. Sheffield and Boeing’s Advanced Man- ogy’s 2012 skill survey found only 6% We also need to tackle the work-life ufacturing Research Centre is focusing of professional engineers are women, balance that can hold women back. Cathy on recruiting more female apprentices and shockingly only 2% of engineering Travers, the most senior female engineer led by engineer and training director apprentices are female. at Mott McDonalds in Sheffield, told me Alison Bettac. The new University Tech- But we do not just want good that when her children were young she was nology College is working hard to fulfil women as role models - many women in able to work during term time only, thus its aim of 50% female admissions in its engineering were inspired by engineer- managing her family responsibilities while first year. Sheffield Hallam University’s ing fathers. So while women role models continuing her career. By being adaptable, Women in Science Engineering and are important, men who tell girls they Mott McDonalds were rewarded with loy- Technology team is providing advice can do these jobs and show them how alty, allowing them to retain a talented and and support on how to make this ambi- are also important. experienced female employee. tion a reality. To help publicise this state But isolated examples of good Many of the business leaders I’ve of affairs I edited Unlocking Potential: practice will not achieve the change met are willing to support measures to perspectives on women in Science, we need. As a Sheffield MP, I am well make it happen. We know that bucking the Engineering & Technology; a collection aware of our region’s proud engineering trend won’t happen overnight, but the ben- of essays exploring what is holding girls and manufacturing heritage. We boast efits of achieving change would be substan- and women back and what can be done. world-class universities and have a tial for our region. Crucially it would begin It was clear that from an early age girls new University Technical College due to harness the skills and talent of girls and and boys learn what are considered to accept its first intake of students in women who currently would never dream of appropriate careers for their gender, and 2013. We are in a good position to tackle taking up a career in science, engineering with few women working as engineers the issue. and technology.

14 Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine Sue Ferns is the Head of Research and Specialist Services at Prospect The four stages trade union of disillusionment SET jobs can be tough on women By Meg Munn MP By Sue Ferns

omen’s under-representation in at more senior levels, and many women ployment sector and quality of manage- Wscience, engineering and technol- identified this as a barrier to progres- ment. Some views will have resonance ogy (SET) is not a new problem but, de- sion or promotion. Legislation to prevent beyond science and engineering, but spite some slow progress in recent years, discrimination against part-time work- there is no doubting the particular chal- it remains pervasive. Women accounted ers has not resolved this problem. Our lenges that emanate from working in for little more than one in ten of all em- respondents also revealed a deficit be- highly skilled and highly competitive ployees in SET occupations, compared tween the formulation of family-friendly environments where women are so sig- with one in two women in the workforce policies and their implementation. nificantly under-represented. Our mem- overall. Women are even less well repre- bers’ experiences confirm that more still sented in some SET occupations, nota- UNHAPPINESS WITH MALE-DOMINAT- needs to be done to deal with endemic bly among engineering professionals and ED WORKGROUPS AND CULTURE – problems, for example relating to work- skilled tradespeople. Furthermore, the A majority still work in teams and for life balance, the glass ceiling and the ‘leaky pipeline’ ensures that a higher as employers where women are in the mi- culture of SET workplaces. a proportion of women than men either nority. This is particularly marked in the Equally it is clear that there is never use their academic qualification private sector. no single agency that can resolve the in a SET role or leave for other occupa- range of economic, institutional, organi- tional pastures. We have identified four phases in sational and cultural challenges that ex- As a union representing 14,000 women’s STEM careers: ist. But politicians, educators, business women who work in these areas, Pros- leaders and individuals all need to play pect is well placed to contribute, and OPTIMISM – a part. Prospect will continue to negoti- there’s no better starting point than lis- ‘As the engineering population ate for better practices at work and to tening to the views of our own members. demographic in [my industry] is highly campaign for better and longer-term Last year we surveyed women skewed, with many due to retire in the funding and against policy-driven cuts working in science and engineering next few years, there are real opportuni- and closures as well as supporting our across the public and private sectors. ties for those with time left to progress.’ members individually. 35% of our 2,000 respondents said that We welcome the opportunity they had been inspired by a teacher or UNCERTAINTY – to build on our work with the Fabian educational opportunity, and 25% cited ‘The only reason I would leave…would Women’s Network, which stems from their main motivation as interest and be for redundancy.’ an event they held in Parliament last enjoyment of their subject. summer that explored what the UK has GLASS CEILING – to benefit by boosting women’s pres- Less positively, our survey also ‘I think I have reached the highest level ence in science and innovation, and confirmed that women leave science I can in the organisation, there are less how this can be brought about. There is due to: women higher up and I think I’d feel even huge potential through this agenda to more isolated.’ contribute to the high quality employ- UNCERTAINTY OVER FUNDING ment and economic growth that the UK OR CONTRACT RENEWAL – RESIGNATION – so desperately needs. Currently threats of redundancy and ‘My male counterparts, who I was recruit- A true test of success will lie outsourcing are having a significant ed with, have all progressed to [a higher] in our ability, working together, to impact in the public sector, though con- level and have been there for a good few transform this member’s experience: cerns over short-term contracts are par- years. I have taken a year off on maternity “I am becoming more frustrated with ticularly marked in higher education. leave so should be a bit behind, but maybe what feels like fighting every day. An not this f ar.’ under 30 female science graduate is THE PROFESSIONAL IMPACT OF not an easy thing to be in my place of HAVING A FAMILY OR PART-TIME No doubt these perspectives reflect a work” into another member’s optimism: WORKING – combination of factors including pres- “I am inspired by blue sky thinking. I There is still something of a presump- sures on public finances, career stage, believe anything can be reality if you tion against part-time working, especially scarcity of specialist career paths, em- try hard enough.”

Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine 15 Dr Aysha Raza is a Neuroscientist at UCL and activist with Budding female particular interest in health and women’s potential in STEM issues Making careers in science more accessible to women is good for them – and the economy By Dr Aysha Raza

ernadette, Amy and Alex from the as a science tutor I have found that this restructuring that forces a shift from the Bpopular TV programme Big Bang is not necessarily the case. These days, traditionally evolved system of depart- Theory are probably the most accessi- potential earnings have become a key ments and faculties to the specialised ble women scientists role models today. factor affecting the uptake of scientific postgraduate research institutes. The Even though the programme is a US sit- subjects. Students are very aware of the most worrying issue in the UK has been com, it does strike a chord with many economic landscape of our times and the divorcing of teaching and research. in the wider scientific community and have become very attuned to the require- In the rush to rebrand and repackage uni- devoted viewers this side of the Atlan- ments of survival today, with a lot of their versities and higher education institutes, tic. American TV at least attempts to choices driven by economic reasons the whole ethos of the purpose of centres portray women in scientific scenarios; rather than talent or passion for a subject of learning and excellence has been lost. they regularly feature in crime or medi- as they once were. The fact remains that The departmental structure is system- cal dramas like CSI and House. Here science jobs do not pay highly, and so atically being dismantled into the more in the UK we don’t appear to have fol- most scientists have to apply for grants US favoured research institute model. lowed the trend - women scientists are for funding every 3-5 years. This does add Teaching is centralised and farmed out hardly portrayed at all. Most of our sci- a level of uncertainty into the equation. to the cheapest options, which does not entific programmes are in documentary necessarily mean the best one wins. format, and at most there have been And amidst all this restructuring the big recent attempts by the BBC to find the ‘Many [women] disap- losers are often the students who are female equivalent of David Attenbor- paying higher fees and getting poorer ough in Alice Roberts and Kate Humble. pear out of the research quality teaching than ever before. It will Generally though, science does not fea- only be a matter of time before the stu- ture highly in UK popular culture; most field, taking with them dent body wises up to this and decides original programming is either costume to spend its money elsewhere. Had the drama or reality-based, and these are valuable know-how and great reformer Jeremy Bentham been anything but centred around the scien- buried and not placed as an auto-icon in tific community. Media has a very cen- experience’ our university, he would most definitely tral role in the way society thinks of and be turning in his grave. portrays women and addressing this I am a great believer in British brain single issue would have quite a sub- Bernadette and Amy, like myself, power. The UK has a great track record for stantial impact on this problem. work within the discipline of life sciences. innovation and enterprise born from our Much discussion has centred Life sciences don’t appear to have prob- education system, and it is this that Labour around attracting more women into Sci- lems in attracting and recruiting women needs to nurture and harness to make ence, technology, engineering and math- to their undergraduate and graduate pro- our way back to a healthy economy and ematics (STEM) areas of research and grammes, but keeping them there appears brighter future. Women have a very active teaching in higher education institutes. to be a battle we are losing. Many disap- and positive role to play in the STEM areas The most frequently cited problems pear out of the research field, taking with of excellence, they just need the right con- appear to be the very traditional atti- them valuable know-how and experience. ditions to thrive there and it is up to us to tudes towards science subjects being The reasons for this are down to child- provide them. Positive strategies such as more masculine and encouraging women raising career breaks (thanks to the pro- the Prospect charter for women in STEM, towards other more feminine subjects hibitive cost of childcare), and the lack of which encourages measures to prevent and professions. Excellent articles in funding or positions within a department the flow of talent from science and engi- previous editions of Fabiana written to continue with research projects. neering, are to be applauded. Many similar by Barbara Govan, Laura Nelson and At more senior positions we do see schemes now need to be implemented. Athene Donald have tackled this subject women excelling, but the genders are far So Bernie is a microbiologist, Amy area in depth. Plenty of the blame for from balanced. a neurobiologist and Alex a physics gradu- imposing subliminal gender biases onto To fully appreciate the obstacles ate/lab assistant. These scientists deserve girls and women is ascribed to schools to women remaining in STEM disci- a series of their own instead of playing and parents. However, in my experience plines, one must superimpose the radical window dressing to their scientist men.

16 Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine Lee Webster is a women’s rights activist. She is Policy and Advocacy Manager for Standing together: Womankind Worldwide, leading on women, peace partners in peace and security. The concerns of women should not be pushed aside in peace processes By Lee Webster

he Labour party has more women conflict, women were actively leading living in conflict. Yet we must stand in TMPs, more women in leadership peace building efforts in their local com- solidarity with women peacebuilders positions, and more women in senior munities. From rebuilding schools, to from around the world, hear their voices, policy making roles than any other party. managing food-growing co-operatives, and make sure that Labour’s foreign Labour can be rightly proud of its femi- to taking leadership roles in local deci- policy puts women squarely at its heart. nist heritage, and the affirmative action sion-making bodies, women were work- that has ensured that women are shaping ing together to move their communities decisions at all levels of the party. towards peaceful, sustainable futures. ‘The Labour party It is this heritage, and the strong Yet still, when it comes to analysis and activism of Labour women, formal peace processes, particularly should fund training which must inform the policy review, at national and international levels, and Labour’s manifesto for the 2015 women are excluded, and their con- for women mediators... general election. One Nation Britain cerns overlooked. Not only is this a must have equality at its heart, but we fundamental denial of women’s rights and build links between must not stop within the borders of this to be represented in decision-making, nation. Britain’s diplomatic, develop- it also overlooks women as vital part- women peacebuilders’ ment and defence policies impact the ners in peace. lives of millions of people around the Women and men have different world, so women’s rights and gender experiences of conflict, and therefore Thankfully, there are some equality must be at the front and centre. different aspirations and views on a concrete ways to make this happen. Any peace that meets the needs of the whole future Labour government, and Labour community. During the research, men in opposition, can send a strong mes- ‘Women and men have were most likely to focus on govern- sage on the need for women’s meaning- ment infrastructure and the absence of ful participation in peace processes. different experiences of armed conflict as indicators of peace. The coalition government has rejected Women’s understanding of peace was Womankind’s calls to direct 15% of its conflict, and therefore broader, and encompassed freedom of peacebuilding funds towards support- movement, food security and access to ing women’s rights and participation different aspirations and health and education. Crucially, in all in peacebuilding processes. This is a the countries researched, women con- commitment that the Labour Party can views on a peace that nected prevalence of domestic violence and should make. The 15% commitment with an absence of peace. Bandana Rana, - representing around £40 million of the meets the needs of the founder of Saathi, a women’s rights current Conflict Pool – is the minimum organisation in Nepal, says: “women standard recommended by the United whole community.’ need security in the home, they need to Nations for all peacebuilding funds. sleep well in their beds, knowing they are This commitment could fund training for safe from violence. Violence can come women mediators, build links between In autumn last year, Womankind from husbands, from neighbours, or from women peacebuilders across regions Worldwide and ActionAid launched family members. Domestic violence is and internationally, and support women’s From The Ground Up, new research a particular problem.” rights organisations working at grass- examining the work of women building The concerns of local women in roots level, who are at the forefront of peace at local levels in conflict-affected conflict zones may seem a long way from building peace in their communities. countries. Speaking to over 550 women a policy review taking place amongst When women are at the heart and men in Afghanistan, Liberia, Nepal, Labour members and allies in the UK. of peace processes, we know that peace Pakistan and Sierra Leone, the research And at a time when women in the UK is more likely to be long-lasting. Let the team from the Institute of Development are bearing the brunt of the current eco- Labour party stand by women peace- Studies found overwhelming evidence nomic crisis, it can be difficult to focus builders, and commit to supporting their that no matter what the nature of the our attention on the needs of women participation and leadership.

Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine 17 Lauren Milden is Secretary of the Young Fabians Health Network Abortion and and works as a Senior Account Executive at Political Lobbying and Media Relations (PLMR) the law in London. Nine facts to know when you engage in the debate By Lauren Milden

n October the new Secretary of State Because of the impact abortion legisla- As such, you may well find the fol- Ifor Health, Jeremy Hunt, said that he tion can have on women’s bodies, minds, lowing nine facts about abortion and would like the current abortion limit to careers and autonomy, this debate needs the law useful to have in your debate be dropped from 24 weeks to 12 weeks. to be on our radars. toolbox.

In 1966, Liberal MP David Steel’s private members’ bill led to the Abortion Act 1967, which has since been amended by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990. The amended 1967 Act now governs abortion in England, Scotland and Wales. The Act provides a legal defence for those who carry out abortions when - “[…] a pregnancy is terminated by a registered medical practitioner if two registered medical practitioners are of the opinion, formed in good faith” and is followed by four situations.

The first situation arises when “the pregnancy has not exceeded its twenty-fourth week and that the continuance of the pregnancy would involve risk, greater than if the pregnancy were terminated, of injury to the physical or mental health of the pregnant woman or any existing children of her family.” Because childbirth is dangerous - WHO data reveals it still kills at least one woman each minute - women in the first trimester will meet this criterion.

The fourth situation listed is where “there is a substantial risk that if the child were born it would suffer from such physical or mental abnormalities as to be seriously handicapped.” The Act leaves the definition of ‘substantial risk’ and ‘serious handicap’ to doctors, and the judiciary is not keen to interfere with this. However, in of the Crown v Smith (1974), a doctor was convicted for lack of good faith when supporting an abortion. In the case of Jepson v The Chief Constable of West Mercia, Police Constabulary, a Reverend sought a police investigation into doctors who had approved the abortion for a bilateral cleft lip and palate of a 28 week old fetus. In 2003, the High Court allowed the judicial review of the decision not to prosecute to proceed.

18 Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine Only one doctor needs to consent to the procedure if “[…] the termination is immediately necessary to save the life or to prevent grave permanent injury to the physical or mental health of the pregnant woman.”

The 1967 Act set the limit at 28 weeks because of the assumption of ‘viability’ found in the Infant Life Preservation Act of 1929. When the act was updated by the Human Embryology and Human Fertilisation Act 1990, links with the Infant Life Preservation Act were cut and the limit, following advances in medicine, was lowered to 24 weeks. On 2 November 2012, the British Medical Association issued a press release clearly stating that they “believe […] there is no scientific justification to reduce the limit from 24 to 20 weeks.” This was in response to a Westminster Hall debate during which Conservative MP Nadine Dorries argued for a reduction in the abortion time limits and misrepresented BMA policy.

Northern Ireland does not have an abortion act. The Offences Against the Person Act 1861 criminalises “procure[ing] a miscarriage…unlawfully”. The 1945 Criminal Justice Act, which brought the Infant Life (preservation) Act to Northern Ireland, is used to interpret the term ‘lawfully’. Cases such as A (1994), confirm that “The doctor’s act is lawful where the continuance of the pregnancy would adversely affect the mental or physical health of the mother…The adverse effect must…be a real and serious one.” The government has yet to publish revised guidelines on abortions.

On 20 May 2008, MPs had a free vote on whether to lower the limit to 12, 16, 20 or 22 weeks. MPs rejected these.

The conscientious objection clause of the 1967 Act allows doctors to refuse to partake in abortions if the woman’s life is not jeopardised.

Lord Howe, during question time in the House of Lords, stated “The government has no plans to review the 1967 Abortion Act. It is Parliamentary practice that any proposals to change the abortion laws come from backbench members and decisions are made on the basis of free votes.”

Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine 19 Laura Bates runs the Every- day Sexism Project, which can be found on Twitter un- Workplace sexism der @EverydaySexism, and writes for the Independent

and sexual harassment It's time to listen up and act to eliminate sexism at work By Laura Bates

hen the recent Jimmy Savile scan- Last week at work, my boss said this: And these do not seem to be Wdal broke, bringing with it waves “'I don't know what you are saying, I don't isolated incidents. The reports go on and of allegations of workplace sexual har- do woman-speak. on; from businesswomen being asked assment and assault dating back over a ” to sit on the boss’s lap if they want their period of thirty years, there was an imme- Women working in careers with a less even Christmas bonus to female lawyers report- diate reaction from some quarters of ‘it’s gender split seem to report particularly high ing senior male colleagues in their work- terrible, but at least this doesn’t go on levels of sexism, particularly in perceptions place openly ranking female job applicants any more.’ Thanks to the 12,000 women of their ability to do their job well. One com- by attractiveness. who have added their experiences to the puter technician gave this example: Another major theme that has Everyday Sexism Project over the past arisen from the project entries is the eight months, we were able, categorically, prevalence of sexual harassment and to contradict this assumption. ‘The severity of many assault. We have received hundreds What the Savile scandal high- of reports of women being groped, lighted, understandably, was a lack of of the reports we have pinched, touched, slapped, kissed and awareness of the sheer scale of the prob- even raped in workplace settings. These lem of workplace sexism, particularly received goes far beyond stories have come from women working amongst those who don’t experience across all sectors, from retail to busi- it themselves. What it also flagged up, sexism into outright ness to the service industry. One sales rather less understandably, was a stub- assistant reported: born reluctance on the part of some to illegal discrimination’ accept it. As I write this article, a new The manager…told me…"you KNOW Everyday Sexism Project entry pops up “why I hired you" and looked down at my on my desktop. It reads: Men checking with other men in case my chest... Everytime I went up a ladder in the computer“ tech knowledge is wrong. 25 years stockroom to retrieve a game, he'd smack I'm the only girl in an all male office. of studying and fixing computers...Often my rear end. I needed the job, so I didn't “They have a poll going to see who can get checking with men who cheerfully admit to say anything for a very long time. me into bed after our xmas party. knowing nothing about computers. ” ” ” Meanwhile, an office worker wrote: There can be no doubt that sexism and Sadly the severity of many of the reports sexual harassment in the workplace are we have received goes far beyond sexism An arm round my shoulders with the alive and well. into outright illegal discrimination. One “hand resting on my breast… I had a senior The entries we have received sug- woman explained: manager who frequently used to try and do gest that the problem manifests itself in this to all the female staff necessitating a a variety of different ways. Firstly, there Male professor at a uni I used to work side-step movement to get away. A com- is a tendency for female staff to be belit- at“ doesn't hire 'attractive women' to work plaint was made but nothing changed. tled or professionally overlooked. One in the laboratory as it would 'distract the ” woman wrote: men from their work. Perhaps most worrying of all is the repeated ” refrain that complaints and reports are International visitors from company's Another wrote: brushed aside or swept under the carpet. head“ office came for a meeting at which I, the only female in management, had to I'm 21 and being asked at job interviews Went to HR about sexist and flirty CEO. report. I walked in with my report and they if“ I'm getting married, or pregnant. Pretty Told“ to put up with it as I’m ‘young and pretty asked for coffee, white with two sugars.” sure this is illegal.” and they’re men, what do you expect?” Reports suggested that the simple fact One woman even reported a boss who Even today, women are still suffering of being a woman was frequently used gave her a gift of a box of condoms in front behind a Savile era-esque veil of normalisa- as a means of dismissal in the profes- of her colleagues before her wedding “so I tion and silence. It is time to start listening sional environment: didn’t go on maternity leave”. to their stories.

20 Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine Kate Talbot is a community organiser at Want your voice Movement for Change. to be heard? Get organised to tackle society's pervasive sexism By Laura Bates By Kate Talbot

few weeks ago, an old friend and I The first campaign leaderswere tions should be applied to local nightclubs Abegan the seemingly unavoidable drawn from across Brixton, and came to- who want to get a license to operate. Our (following a bottle of wine or two) early gether out of frustration at the lack of po- ask is simple: if a nightclub owner does not hours 'putting the world to rights' conver- litical attention paid to women’s safety by demonstrate a firm commitment to making sation. Unsurprisingly, talk soon turned the traditional political Establishment. The the venue safer for women, s/he should be to the challenges women faced in society. idea was to build power, recruit more young denied a license to sell alcohol. Cue an impassioned monologue from me, activists to the group, and then take action covering topics as wide as the chaperone to change their community for the better. 3. Regulating the national industry: requirement in Iran to the lack of female Our group all had direct experience The Security Industry Association (SIA) judges in the UK. My friend - a left leaning of intimidation, harassment or violence in is the body which accredits door staff and (although he probably wouldn't admit it), one form or another. So did many of the regulates their training. Currently, there is business loving, ‘I believe in equality but women we spoke with during our listen- no requirement for door staff to undergo aren't feminists a bit scary’ kind of guy - ing campaign. We felt deeply that these all any specialist training in women’s safety. interrupted me. too commonplace experiences needed to At present, the SIA is undergoing a pro- “I do get all this, but what is it, day be acted on. So in May 2012, we worked in cess of reform. We plan to inform the train- to day, that makes your life difficult be- alliance with school students, local youth ing provision for door staff, so that the SIA cause you're a woman? You've got a degree, groups and charities to stage a large com- can make a lasting difference to women’s you've got a job, and it's not like you live in munity meeting in our area. We invited two safety in the night-time economy. a country where you have to cover yourself MPs, Kate Green and Stella Creasy, along I found the community organising head to toe before you leave the house.” to support the campaign, and all together approach so effective that, since becom- It actually took some thinking about. we drew up a ‘Women’s Safety Charter’ ing involved I left my job in commercial He was right: through hard work but mainly to make practical demands of local night- management to work full time for M4C. due to a huge amount of luck and accident clubs. Next we met with them to negotiate It is worth saying that I still believe can- of birth, I am British, have the vote, have endorsement of our Charter. vassing and voter ID is important, and been to university, and have had two good A local campaign with national I do this with my CLP: organising is a jobs since graduating. I am probably too significance is now growing. After a fur- complementary approach, rather than a young - and certainly lucky with my em- ther listening campaign with councillors, replacement. But it has connected me ployers - to have directly experienced the local police and others, we’ve focused to people both inside and outside the discrimination millions of British women on three strands: Labour Party who are passionate about face in the workplace, and have not had their communities and want to take ac- to balance the expectation of being a pri- 1. The Women’s Safety Charter: We tion, but hadn't thought about organising mary care giver with my career. While the produced a list of practical steps Brixton before. They have largely been people daily bombardment from the media came nightclubs can take to make women safer, who aren't interested in delivering leaf- to mind, I chose to tell my friend about so including using approved Suzy Lamplugh lets, and certainly didn't read them when called 'low-level' harassment I (and mil- training tips for their front of house staff, they fell on the mat. lions of other women) experience on a day and prominently displaying posters which While M4C is not a policy organisa- to day basis. For those who doubt this is show ‘zero tolerance’ for sexual harass- tion, there is no doubt in my mind that the true, just run a quick eye over the fantastic ment. The Charter was launched last Sep- best policy ideas come from those who live - but at the same time anger-inducing - Eve- tember with our first nightclub partner in and breathe the issue. Most of all, I've had ryday Sexism project. Brixton. Two other venues signed up on an important belief reaffirmed: if Labour I became involved in the Movement the night, and though there are venues that are to win the next election, we need to for Change work in Lambeth a year ago, have been less forthcoming, we will meet work with people on issues that matter to after attending a training workshop. Move- resistance by negotiating for change. them, rather than presenting people with ment for Change is the home of community a pre-determined campaign issue. Across organising in the Labour movement: it is a 2. Review of licensing: We negotiated the country Labour activists have been grassroots organisation which trains peo- with Lambeth Council for our activists to doing this for years, but it needs to be na- ple to win political change on issues that give evidence before its Licensing Review tionwide and it needs to be consistent. We matter to them in their community. Board. This Board decides what condi- need to get organised.

Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine 21 Holly Dustin is the Director of the End Violence Against Making a lasting Women Coalition. difference The End Violence Against Women Coalition are galvanized for change. Why not join us? By Holly Dustin

his year had barely started when we enables health and other services get begin a conversation about how we change Thad the publication of both new gov- better at responding to the problem. cultures and attitudes that condone abuse ernment statistics on sexual offences of women and girls, and allow the small and the Met’s report on Jimmy Savile’s minority of men who commit these crimes to prolific sexual offending. More recently, ‘Making sex and believe that they will likely get away with it. attendees of a Fabian Women's Network Working with young people in our schools is event saw Diane Abbott MP speak out relationship education key to this. against the harm that hypersexualised Yvette Cooper’s pledge at Labour culture and new technology are doing to compulsory is key and Party conference last autumn to make sex our young people. and relationship education compulsory is key Alongside the exposure of the Labour has set a lead and has set a lead which the other parties nature and scale of sexual abuse of must follow if they are serious about prevent- girls by older men in Rochdale, and which the other parties ing abuse. If we can ensure that all young ongoing similar prosecutions in other people at school discuss consent and are towns around the country, we are in a must follow’ confident of reporting abuse we will go a long watershed moment for changing public way to making potential perpetrators think perception and understanding of sexual twice before they calculate their chances of violence and what needs to be done to The Met’s report on Jimmy Savile's escaping justice. We also need good teacher stop it. And as Diane demonstrates, La- sexually violent behaviour towards hun- training in spotting the signs of abuse and in bour women have already taken a critical dreds of people, mostly women and girls, responding once a young person reports it. lead on this. and spanning decades, lifted the lid on the This is a turning point. Labour is The report from the Home Office, large number of adults who are living with already leading. Our members will continue Ministry of Justice and the Office of the legacies of past sexual abuse. They to campaign on these issues as an urgent National Statistics is the first ever compi- were badly let down by public services in priority this year. You can keep up with us lation of all sexual offences statistics in the past, and the government must now by signing up for our monthly bulletin, and one place and shows that around 473,000 ensure that there are adequately resourced watch out for our Parliamentary and party people are victims of sexual offending services to support them. His fame and conference events. Another report last year each year. These include sexual assaults, subsequent access to victims meant that compared social change in different coun- indecent exposure, unwanted touching, he was not of course the ‘usual’ kind of sex tries and found that feminist campaigning and approximately 85,000 rapes. These offender – most are personally known to was the most significant force in bringing are well-known figures, but staggering those they attack, and we must maintain about change on these matters. Together we nonetheless. The figures on police report- public awareness of this to ensure that will make a lasting difference. ing and conviction rates are alarmingly testimonies against friends and family are low. When these facts are considered not ignored. Visit us at www.endviolenceagainstwomen. we mustn’t forget that proper funding is We have to look seriously at pre- org.uk | Follow us on Twitter at @EVAWhd needed to support women and girls who vention of abuse in the first place. The | Sign up for our monthly bulletin http:// experience sexual violence, whether or statistics also show that sex offenders www.endviolenceagainstwomen.org.uk/ not they report to the police, and that this are often repeat offenders and we must get-our-bulletin

END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

22 Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine Jennette Arnold OBE is the London Assembly Chair and Assembly Member for Farewell, Greta North East London. Karpin (1932-2012) Inspiration, friend and mentor to countless By Holly Dustin Labour women By Jennette Arnold

Greta did all of that and more. she knew and wanted to be known by her There were so many aspects to her life – was enormous; and there was always a the Labour Party and politics in general new inspiring story. remained a core part of her, but she was You always got the feeling in also a bit of a foodie, a stylish dresser, a talking to this fabulous woman, that her gardener, a pet lover and theater aficio- lifehad been so full, with her tireless nado. She enjoyed travelling, was fond work for her Labour Party, her travels of a good read, and liked to gossip; she with her beloved Bert, her commitment had a prolific memory and a thousand and unending support to those she liked, stories of life, the universe and just her work, pets and acquaintances that about anything. she would need a second lifetime to describe it all. The picture shows Greta around ‘The writer Maya the age of 25 addressing the Labour t was a testament to her style of friend- Party conference – look closely and you Iship that, once accepted into the circle, Angelou once said of her can just make out Harold Wilson looking then everyone was equal. No matter how over her shoulder – clearly listening long you had been a member, you were own struggles “The is- and learning, as we have all done over accorded the time and respect of the the years! Ispoke with her just the day longest-serving. sue is not to survive - but before she died, and she demonstrated Greta Karpin was a lifelong social- as ever her interest in events (‘didn’t ist, trade unionist, a passionate campaigner to thrive, with passion, Boris Johnson outdo Cameron at the for peace and social justice and against Olympics? How are you celebrating discrimination and racism. She was also of compassion, humour and your wedding anniversary? What’s the that generation of Labour Party pioneers name of that chef from the Great British that came out of the great depression only style.” Greta did all of Menu? Glad to hear your constituents to find themselves in a world at war. Nev- are supporting your new campaign! ertheless, they helped deliver the welfare that and more.’ How’s your lovely husband and grand- state. It would have been so easy to give up daughter?’) It was typically butterfly-like, – but that generation didn’t. revealed her compassion for her friends, The excellent obituary printed in She was inquisitive - some might and was all washed down with great the Guardian, written by her friend and say plain nosey. Several of her conversa- chunks of gossip. comrade Luke Akehurst, gives an insight tions would move, sooner or later, into When Greta celebrated her into her key role as ‘de facto chief of staff’ cyberspace so that she could track down eightieth birthday with a meal in May last to the late Clive Jenkins, General Secretary echoes of her past. Whether is was the year, the menu card she designed with of the former trade union ASTMS. As he listing of all Billy Fury’s hits from the her dear friend Steve Arnold included relates, she was also ‘politically, organiza- 1950s, or finding pictures of people she a quote by the American writer, John tionally and socially, the life and soul of the and her beloved husband, Bert, had met Burroughs: “I still find each day too Party in Hackney. Greta operated at every over the years; or researching recipes for short for all the thoughts I want to think, political level, forming friendships with gefiltefish from the 19th century, Greta all the walks I want to take, all the books union general secretaries, Labour leaders had a joy for finding things out and, as I want to read and all the friends I want and representatives, cabinet ministers, and often as not, being proved right. to see” It summed her up for me entirely. she understood that grassroots organisa- Her thirst for knowledge was Farewell my friend and one of the tion was essential.’ always unquenched and her joy in finding finest Labour women there have been in The writer Maya Angelou once out new things was unbounded. Greta was our Party. said of her own struggles “The issue is always someone you wanted to spend time not to survive - but to thrive, with passion, with, the conversation was always fresh Bert died in 2012; her nieces and great- compassion, humour and style.” and challenging; the scale of the people nieces survive Greta.

Fabian Women’s Network e-magazine 23 The Fabian Women’s Network is a network of over 1500 women, working to support and encourage women’s engagement in policy and politics.

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