Scottish Women’s Aid to support women into employment
Women who have suffered violence or abuse at the hands of a partner will benefit from an investment of £190,000 to help them back into work, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced today. Continue reading Helping domestic abuse survivors into work
I am writing to invite you to this year’s International Women’s Day event which takes place next Tuesday (8 March) in Royston/Wardieburn Community Centre, Pilton Drive North. We have decided to combine this year’s event with our third Getting Together Making a Difference event.
As you will see from the leaflet there will be films, poetry, music, stories, discussion and food – all the ingredients for a nice get together with friends and neighbours! We have organised a crèche for pre-school children to allow as many women as possible to take part. Please book a crèche place in advance as the crèche is likely to be very busy (tel 552 5700 or 551 1671).
Registration is at 10am in the reception area and we will be starting at 10.15 in room F34 upstairs. Lunch will be served at 1pm.
I would be grateful if you would forward the leaflet to any local women you know who might be interested in joining us.
Lynn McCabe (on behalf of the planning group)
Edinburgh North and Leith MP Deirdre Brock is calling upon constituents to sign a petition which seeks to scrap the UK Government’s rape clause. Continue reading Brock calls for support to scrap ‘appalling’ rape clause
Alison Johnstone will ‘wear it pink’ on Friday
Alison Johnstone, MSP for Lothian, has shown her support for women with breast cancer by dressing up in pink and encouraging her constituents to take part in Breast Cancer Now’s flagship fundraiser, wear it pink, this Friday (23 October).
wear it pink, the UK’s biggest pink fundraiser, is calling on supporters across the country to ditch the day-to-day colours and pull on some pink to raise money for Breast Cancer Now’s life-saving breast cancer research.
Alison joined fellow parliamentarians in wearing it pink in Holyrood to encourage people across Scotland to get involved. Now in its 14th year, wear it pink raises over £2 million each year for world-class research into breast cancer, and this year it is back and bigger, brighter and bolder than ever before.
Anyone can take part, whether in school, at work or at home. All you have to do is wear something pink and donate whatever you can.
Alison Johnstone said: “Breast cancer is at a tipping point. Every year around 4,600 women in Scotland are diagnosed with the disease, and sadly nearly 1,000 people still lose their lives.
“Due to incredible research by organisations like Breast Cancer Now, more people are surviving breast cancer than ever before. I’m proud to support this brilliant work by wearing it pink – it’s a fun way for people to get involved in the fight against cancer.
“Together, we can make a huge difference for women living with breast cancer. I hope everyone in my community will join me in wearing it pink on Friday 23 October and show their support for Breast Cancer Now.”
Launched in June 2015 with the ambition of ensuring that no one dies from the disease by 2050, Breast Cancer Now is the UK’s largest breast cancer charity, created by the merger of Breast Cancer Campaign and Breakthrough Breast Cancer.
This is a day when we stand out, stand together and stand for something: wear it pink on Friday 23 October to support Breast Cancer Now’s life-saving research.
For more information or to register for wear it pink visit
Local women get together again to make a difference
Royston Wardieburn Community Centre-based Womens International Group (WIG) held a successful follow-up to their June ‘Getting Together, Making A Difference‘ event last month. Here’s the conference report:
Background
The first Getting Together Making a Difference event took place on 18 June 2015. A new exhibition created by the Women’s International Group was launched at the event. The exhibition celebrated the achievements of local women through the decades who individually and collectively have made a huge contribution to the community of North Edinburgh.
The event also included the screening of 2 short films on the theme of home created by a local women’s group from North Edinburgh and a group of women from Maryhill who were refugees and asylum seekers. Below is an extract of the comments made by participants during the discussion after the film:
The following decisions came out the meeting:
Aims of second Getting Together Making a Difference event
GETTING TOGETHER MAKING A DIFFERENCE
(SECOND EVENT)
Session 1: Home
Following the screening of the Making It Home films, participants were asked to pair up with another person to discuss what home meant to them. The following comments were made during the feedback session:
Home is:
It was pointed out by a number of participants that a lot of homes and communities aren’t safe and supportive and that this situation has a huge impact on people’s everyday lives.
We took time to reflect on the fact that ‘home’ is not a safe place for many people around the world at the moment. In Syria, for example, 11 million people have had to leave their homes and their communities over the last 4 years to escape war and persecution. Over 4 million of those displaced by the conflict have been forced to leave their homeland in search of a safer future in a different country. Sadly, many thousands of those seeking refuge have died on those treacherous journeys hundreds of miles from home.
Siobhan Glean, an inspirational black woman, who has made North Edinburgh her home, recited an extract from a powerful poem by Maya Angelou. The words were chosen because they resonate with the experience of refugees and asylum seekers facing hostility, racism and inhumane treatment in many parts of Europe today:
Still I Rise
You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may tread me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I’ll rise.
Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I’ll rise.
Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops.
Weakened by my soulful cries.
You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I’ll rise.
Out of the huts of history’s shame
I rise
Up from a past that’s rooted in pain
I rise
I’m a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise.
We were then led by the Timebank Temptations in a song which reflected support and compassion for our fellow humans caught up in the worst humanitarian crisis since the Second World War:
What is peace to you
We are calling compassion for all
Everybody has the right to a safe home.
Part 2: Getting Together. Making a Difference
We were inspired by a film made in 1993 by Muirhouse Anti-Racism Campaign. The film and the testimonies of those involved in the campaign highlighted the importance of showing solidarity with people who are being discriminated against and how much can be achieved when a few committed people join together.
We are reminded about the dangers of racism by the following quote by Willie Adams, one of the founder members of MARC:
“Most white people don’t understand that racism of this sort affects them as well. Quite apart from the fact that racism is wrong, they don’t see how easy it is for prejudice to divide the community. Racism is not a solution, it’s a way of distracting people’s attention from the real issues.”
Part 3: Where do we go from here?
Those present expressed their wish to build a stronger and more supportive community. The following suggestions were put forward with regard to how this might be achieved:
Action Points:
Conclusion
It was agreed to organise a meeting in the next few weeks for people who are interested in forming a group to take forward these ideas.
Anna Hutchison who chaired the event then recited the following poem which she wrote in response to the plight of refugees around the world.
Hands Across the Water
Hands across the water
Hands beyond the seas
People living together
In perfect harmony
People helping others
Joining hands together
Sisters and brothers sharing, caring for you and me.
The event concluded on a high note with a song. The lyrics remind of us of our moral responsibility to stand up not only for our own rights but also for the rights of others.
‘Something Inside So Strong’ – Labi Siffre
The higher you build your barriers
The taller I become
The farther you take my rights away
The faster I will run
You can deny me
You can decide to turn your face away
No matter, cos there’s….
Something inside so strong
I know that I can make it
Tho’ you’re doing me wrong, so wrong
You thought that my pride was gone
Oh no, something inside so strong
Oh oh oh oh oh something inside so strong
The more you refuse to hear my voice
The louder I will sing
You hide behind walls of Jericho
Your lies will come tumbling
Deny my place in time
You squander wealth that’s mine
My light will shine so brightly
It will blind you
Cos there’s …
Something inside so strong
I know that I can make it
Tho’ you’re doing me wrong, so wrong
You thought that my pride was gone
Oh no, something inside so strong
Oh oh oh oh oh something inside so strong
Brothers and sisters
When they insist we’re just not good enough
When we know better
Just look ’em in the eyes and say
I’m gonna do it anyway
I’m gonna do it anyway
Something inside so strong
And I know that I can make it
Tho’ you’re doing me wrong, so wrong
You thought that my pride was gone
Oh no, something inside so strong
Oh oh oh oh oh something inside so strong
Brothers and sisters
When they insist we’re just good not enough
When we know better
Just look ’em in the eyes and say
I’m gonna do it anyway
I’m gonna do it anyway
I’m gonna do it anyway
I’m gonna do it anyway
Because there’s something inside so strong
And I know that I can make it
Tho’ you’re doing me, so wrong
You thought that my pride was gone
Oh no, something inside so strong
Oh oh oh oh oh something inside so strong
Fresh faces will join battle-hardened old hands to play their first Auld Reekie Roller Girls (ARG) home season later this month (writes Lucy Glenny).
ARRG has divvied up its competitive skaters, old and new, into three home teams – Cherry Bombers, Leithal Weapons and Skatefast Club. Each team of 14 skaters will battle it over four events out to be crowned queens of the league 2015.
The first game will be between the Leithal Weapons and current title-holders Skatefast Club on Saturday, September 26.
Next up is the Leithal Weapons versus the Cherry Bombers on Saturday 17 October and the third game will see the Cherry Bombers take on the Skatefast Club on Saturday 7 November 7.
The grand final will be a double-header, with the third-placed home team playing a guest team and the two top home teams competing for first place on Saturday 28 November.
Each game will take place at Meadowbank Sports Stadium on London Road.
Doors open at 2pm, giving plenty of time to eat cake, look at merchandise and browse our craft stalls before the game starts at 2.30pm.
ARRG has arranged a special license for a bar at the events and there will be half-time entertainment too.
There will be separate seating areas for families and young children and a children’s craft corner to keep little ones amused.
Tickets are £6 in advance, £8 on the door and £17 for the five-game home season ticket, available on Brown Paper Tickets.
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‘inequalities faced by women have been exacerbated by the welfare reform agenda’ – Clare Adamson MSP
Women are being hit hard on multiple fronts by changes to the benefits system, according to a report published by Holyrood’s Welfare Reform Committee today.
The Committee found women are ‘disproportionately impacted’ by welfare reform across a range of issues and benefits. Its report includes recommendations to the Scottish Government and Department of Work and Pensions, aimed at mitigating the impact of welfare reform on women, including:
Committee Convener Michael McMahon MSP, said: “The evidence we have set out confirms the devastating impact on women of the UK Government’s reforms to the social security system. Of particular concern is the cumulative impact on women hit by multiple benefits cuts, from child support to carer’s allowance.
“The UK Government urgently needs to look at how women are being affected by these changes and we are also calling on the Scottish Government to look at the gender impact of their own policy decisions.”
Deputy Convener Clare Adamson MSP, said: ““Our report shows inequalities faced by women in Scotland have been exacerbated by the welfare reform agenda. With the Scotland Bill still making its way through Westminster and the Chancellor set to announce even deeper cuts to welfare spending, the Committee is urging the Scottish Government to make use of expected new powers over welfare to help mitigate more of the negative impact of welfare reform on women.
“The Committee would, for instance, support a move away from monthly and single household payments under Universal Credit, as a way of protecting women’s financial autonomy.”
The report will come as no surprise to many, but perhaps of more concern is the scale of cuts still to come: Chancellor George Osborne is expected to announce a further £12 billion of welfare ‘savings’ in his budget on Wednesday.
Welfare Minister Margaret Burgess said more women could be pushed into poverty and disproportionately affected by social security reforms if the UK Government cuts £12 billion from its welfare budget.
Commenting on the Scottish Parliament’s Welfare Reform Committee’s Women and Social Security report Mrs Burgess expressed her fears that the UK Government’s emergency budget would only deepen the gender inequalities highlighted in the findings.
The report backed Scottish Government recommendations on payment flexibilities under Universal Credit and it also highlighted the need for gender impacts to be factored into any policy decisions.
Mrs Burgess will meet women at One Parent Families Scotland in Glasgow today to hear their views on how the Scottish Government can create a Fairer Scotland. This comes on the same day as Barnardo’s Scotland and the Scottish Government joined forces to call a halt to proposed cuts.
Mrs Burgess said: “It is alarming to see that women have been disproportionately affected by the UK Government’s benefits cuts and are twice as dependent on social security than men. I am deeply concerned that the UK Government’s £12 billion cuts will only widen this gap.
“With our new powers we will create a fairer and simpler social security system that aims to tackle gender and other inequalities. However we need to know how the UK Government’s cost cutting will affect benefits that are to be devolved.
“Organisations like One Parent Families Scotland and Barnardo’s Scotland see the effects of social security changes on the groups the report highlights as being particularly vulnerable, on a day to day basis, and are rightly concerned about the devastating impact further cuts could have on children.
“We welcome the Committee’s recommendations over Universal Credit and sanctions, and we will continue to do all we can to break down the barriers that prevent women from entering into work.
“Over the next few months we’ll be listening to the people affected by the UK Government’s welfare changes and cuts and, will be making sure we get the views of women on how we can create a system that suits their needs.
“Despite challenges from the UK Government we are tackling poverty head on. Our new Independent Adviser on Poverty and Inequality will be looking at what more we can do to lift people out of poverty, we have invested £296 million in welfare mitigation measures, extended our childcare and are encouraging employers to pay the Living Wage.”
Last week the children’s commissioners for Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland warned in a report to the United Nations that government austerity measures had failed to protect the most vulnerable children. The report said the £12bn of planned cuts would have the biggest effect on the 2.3 million children in the UK estimated to be living in poverty.
Getting together, Making A Difference exhibition opens
North Edinburgh’s Womens International Group launched their eagerly-anticipated Gettting Together, Making A Difference exhibition with song, speeches, films, discusssion and even a little poetry at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre today.
The exhibition highlights the work carried out by local women activists over the years to improve conditions for the people living in ourNorh Edinburgh communities.
The event was all about the importance of solidarity and community spirit, mutual support and the need to keep up the fight to save local services. It’s an argument that was eloquently made in the past by activists like Jenny Marrow, Evelyn Preston, Maureen MacMillan Gwen Crystal and Sandra Purnell -strong voices sadly no longer with us.
You get the impression, though, that the fighting spirit still burns just as brightly in the hearts of our current activists – both the young and the vastly experienced, all of whom packed Royston Wardieburn today. I’m sure Jenny, Evelyn, Maureen – all of them – would have loved this celebration.
Me? I was just proud to be an honorary woman for the day!
More pictures on our Facebook page!
PHENOMENAL WOMAN
Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I’m telling lies.
I say,
It’s in the reach of my arms,
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It’s the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can’t touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them,
They say they still can’t see.
I say,
It’s in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
Now you understand
Just why my head’s not bowed.
I don’t shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing,
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It’s in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need for my care.
’Cause I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
MORE PICTURES ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE
North Edinburgh’s Women’s International Group invite you to their new exhibition which celebrates the many achievements of local women in this community.
The exhibition opens on Thursday at 10am in Royston Wardieburn Community Centre; there’s a free creche and lunch is provided too (please book creche place in advance to avoid disappointment).
For further information contact Lynn on 552 5700 or Rachel on 07891 525 663.
Getting together. Making a difference.
