Last term I was among five involved in setting up a campus society for the newly formed national ‘Women’s Equality Party’(WE), hoping to raise awareness of the party and promote issues surrounding gender inequality: issues that affect all genders. Catherine Mayer and Sandi Toksvig founded the party in March 2015, before journalist and campaigner Sophie Walker was elected leader in July 2015. She is currently running for London Mayor.
The party is non-partisan, open to all political affiliations and doesn’t necessarily want to hold office but to force other mainstream parties into adopting policies focused on securing gender equality in all areas of life. There has already been success, an example reported by the Daily Mail where pressure from WE resulted in David Cameron ensuring that companies with over 250 employers published the division of their bonuses, in an attempt to end the gender pay gap.
Whilst I have been engaged with the national party since its inception, I was initially worried about its representative value as its most visible supporters and indeed its three frontrunners were predominantly white and upper/middle class, and initially there didn’t seem to be enough focus on the differing experiences of different genders and sexual identities. However, as the party and its policies have developed, so has their focus on intersectionality.
We have brought together the experiences and ideas of people of all genders from across the country – including those doubly or trebly disadvantaged, by their gender and other factors such as ethnicity, age, disability, family background, sexuality or religion. WE also recognise that the binary words “woman” and “man” do not reflect the gender experience of everyone in our country, and support the right of all to define their sex or gender or to reject gendered divisions as they choose.
WE are pushing for equal representation in politics, business, industry and throughout working life. WE expect equal pay for equal work and will look for ways to tackle the existing imbalances that leave many women, such as those who are unpaid caregivers or in low paid jobs, especially vulnerable. WE are pressing for equal parenting and caregiving enabling everyone to share opportunity and responsibility in the workplace and at home. WE urge an education system that creates opportunities for all children and an understanding of why this matters. WE aim to address the ways in which the portrayal of women in the media impedes progress towards equality. WE seek an end to violence against women and recognise physical and sexual violence as a public health problem.
Theo Barber-Bany
What do you think are the biggest problems facing women on our campus today?
There doesn’t seem to be equal opportunities, an example being that there is still a distinct lack of women in STEM fields. The gender pay gap and the acceptance and normalisation of ‘lad’ culture and day- to-day sexism.
What made you come to the introductory session for The Women’s Equality Party society?
Curiosity, Wanting to hear what people wanted out of such a society / party, and to see if I could be made aware of any issues that I otherwise wouldn’t have thought about (I think in a way its a responsibility too)
I think its also worth debating ways to voice your opinions without making people feel 1) like an outsider and 2) as if they should feel bad for attempting to engage in some way, even if it was not completely informed correctly – It’s because of things like that that so many of my male friends who share similar views to me avoid anything with 'women’s equality' or 'feminism' outside of conversations over drinks etc – and its why I feel they sometimes fail to be taken seriously.
Emmie Price-Goodfellow, President of the society for the Women’s Equality Party
What will being a member entail?
The society will be running various events throughout the year including talks and debates from relevant and interesting speakers, feminist cinema events and film evenings, socials in town, and informal discussions. As the party grows, there will also be opportunities to be involved in local campaigning around election time. However, we are holding elections soon for all society positions, so anyone with better ideas is more than welcome to run and add new activities for society members to participate in. Being on the committee will be great experience, both of running a society and running a local political party branch, and you will be contributing towards the only women-focussed political movement in the UK today.
Lucy Elizabeth, Women’s Officer at YUSU
What do you think are the biggest problems facing women on our campus today?
The lad culture and everyday sexism that invades way too many spaces on campus is an obvious one. One of the things that inspired me to run for women's officer was hearing one too many stories of catcalling, institutional discrimination and sexual assault among those closest to me.
Why do you think the Women's Equality Party specifically is a good tool to combat gender inequality in the UK?
The Women's Equality Party are an incredible group, by refusing to allow women in politics to be token or afterthoughts. Through legislation, institutionalised discrimination can be tackled and I believe this will trickle down and affect everyday attitudes. The key areas of their policies cover fundamental bases, and call for equal parenting rights, an end to violence against women and fair gender representation in the media (to name a few). They have practical and achievable means with which to achieve these. Many of their policies directly support men, children and the elderly also. I truly believe they are a force of good and with the proper support base, could improve the lives of so many people.