Tag: Women

Breast cancer screening to resume next month

Patients will receive letters to reschedule appointments

The Breast Screening Programme which was paused in March because of coronavirus (COVID-19) is to resume safely and carefully from 3 August.

Anyone who was invited for a breast screening appointment before the pause, who was unable to attend for any reason or had an appointment cancelled will receive a letter in the coming weeks.

There will be no change to the screening test itself, however additional measures have been introduced to allow breast screening to take place in a safe environment. Staff will wear necessary personal protective equipment and appointments will be staggered to ensure waiting areas are quieter, allowing staff and patients to adhere to physical distancing.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “Pausing the adult national screening programmes was one of a series of difficult decisions we have had to make in responding to the impact of COVID-19. I am delighted breast cancer screening is resuming and I would urge everyone to attend their appointment, as screening can find early signs of cancer.

“The continued efforts we are making to limit the spread of the virus have allowed us to restart the national breast screening programme in line with expert clinical advice and the recommendations of the Scottish Screening Committee, as part of the planned safe and incremental remobilisation of NHS Scotland.

“The safety of patients and staff will continue to be our priority as all of the national screening programmes restart and expand. I want to reassure you that we are taking these precautions so that we can safely offer the right care, at the right time, in the right place.”

Marion O’Neill, Head of External Affairs (Devolved Nations) at Cancer Research UK, said: “It is great news that breast cancer screening services in Scotland are returning. Although breast cancer screening has both benefits and harms, we know cancer screening programmes saves lives.

“There may be some changes to what happens at your appointment because of COVID-19 and your results may be delayed, so it’s more important than ever that you read the information provided. Ask at your appointment how long it might take and who to contact if you haven’t heard in that time.

“It is important to remember that screening is for healthy people with no symptoms. If you notice any unusual changes to your body that don’t go away, talk to your doctor.”

More information on the national screening programme is available on NHS Inform.

Join the national conversation about Fair Work

The First Minister’s National Advisory Council on Women and Girls (NACWG) is calling on residents from Edinburgh to get behind the #GenerationEqual movement and share their views and experiences of gender inequality in the workplace. 

Inequality in the working environment continues to be an issue. Women and girls still experience challenges with gender barriers and discrimination leaving fewer opportunities for career progression, a greater likelihood of them doing lower paid jobs and a gender pay gap. 

Areas the Advisory Council wish to examine include occupational segregation, balancing the inflexibility of work with caring responsibilities, and the undervaluation of women’s work.

The NACWG was established in 2017 to play a leading role in raising the issue of gender inequality on Scotland’s agenda by drawing attention to a wide range of issues faced by women and girls.

Focusing on a new Spotlight every two months, the NACWG aims to bring people together to share ideas and opinions on different gender equality issues. The Advisory Council is putting a Spotlight on fair work until the end of August, to explore the challenges faced by women in the workplace.

Louise Macdonald OBE, Co-Chair of the NACWG, said: “Longstanding gender barriers in the workplace means there remain fewer opportunities for career progression for women and girls and more women are in lower paid roles.

“Others face the “motherhood penalty” or have to take on additional caring responsibilities, and are  forced into part-time work as they struggle to secure a work-life balance without the support from employers.

“It is important for the Advisory Council to hear from a diverse range of people to learn from different lived experiences. We want to hear from people in Edinburgh, whether they themselves or someone they know is affected by these issues. Every opinion we gather contributes to shaping our third report of recommendations to the First Minister.”

To have your say in the national conversation, people are encouraged to form a virtual ‘Wee Circle’ with family, friends or colleagues to discuss the issues surrounding fair work for women and girls (socially distanced, of course! – Ed.)

Feedback from these Wee Circle discussions, as well as individual feedback, can be submitted online at onescotland.org/NACWG and people can share their thoughts on social media using the hashtag #GenerationEqual.

TUC: Many women remain stuck in low-paid, insecure roles

 

Coronavirus has confirmed that working women are still underpaid and undervalued in Britain today, the TUC has said today as the UK marks the 50th anniversary of the Equal Pay Act. 

TUC analysis shows that women are much more likely than men to be key workers and, when they are, are much more likely to be on low pay.

Of an estimated 9.8 million key workers, nearly two-thirds are women. And 2.6 million women key workers earn less than £10 an hour.

TUC General Frances O’Grady said: “50 years after brave women won the legal right to equal pay, coronavirus has confirmed that pay inequality is still rife in Britain today. 

“Working women have led the fight against coronavirus, but millions of them are stuck in low paid and insecure jobs. That is not right.

“As we emerge from this crisis, we need a reckoning on how we value and reward women’s work. Without proper change it will take decades to close the gender pay gap.”

Separate TUC analysis of official data shows that at current rates of progress it will take around 50 years (until 2067) to achieve pay parity between men and women.

– Estimates of key worker earnings are based on the government’s list of key occupations and data from the most recent Labour Force Survey (Q4, 2019).

The TUC’s analysis suggests there are up to 9.8 million key workers, and that 3.7 million are paid below £10 per hour. This is based on linking four-digit occupation codes to government guidance, which is open to interpretation.

Employees Number of employees earning less than £10 per hour % of employees earning less than £10 per hour
All 27,743,698 9,361,640 34
Key workers 9,839,175 3,742,257 38
Non-key workers 17,904,523 5,619,383 31

 

Gender
All employees Number of employees paid below £10 per hour Key workers Number of key workers paid below £10 % of key workers paid below £10 Key workers as % of all employees
Male 13,935,349 3,823,471 3,572,654 1,155,611 32 26
Female 13,808,349 5,538,169 6,266,521 2,586,646 41 45
Total 27,743,698 9,361,640 9,839,175 3,742,257 38 35

For more information about the Equal Pay Act please visit: www.tuc.org.uk/workplace-guidance/case-studies/how-fords-striking-women-drove-equal-pay-act

– TUC analysis of the gender pay gap is available at: www.tuc.org.uk/news/gender-pay-gap-means-women-work-free-two-months-year-says-tuc

It’s time to address gender inequality and racism in Edinburgh

The First Minister’s National Advisory Council on Women and Girls (NACWG) is urging Edinburgh residents to get behind the #GenerationEqual movement by sharing their experiences in its latest discussion surrounding racism and inequality and the need to eradicate racism to achieve equality in Scotland. 

Women and girls continue to face inequalities that negatively affect their daily life and the NACWG wants to find out more about these intersectional issues, including employment and career progression. The Advisory Council would like to hear from individuals of any gender and those who don’t identify within Edinburgh to understand any/all challenges of racism and inequality. 

The NACWG was established as a catalyst for change, playing a leading role in raising the issue of gender inequality on Scotland’s agenda by providing a challenging voice to the First Minister.

Focusing on different spotlight themes, the Advisory Council encourages people to share ideas and opinions on different gender equality issues. The NACWG’s spotlight is on ‘Racism and Inequality’ until June as part of its efforts to better understand racism in Scotland and help create a society where we are all equal. 

To participate in the national conversation and show support, individuals are encouraged to form a ‘Wee Circle’ with family, friends or colleagues to discuss the issues surrounding racism and inequality for women and girls.

Feedback from Circle discussions can be submitted online at onescotland.org/NACWG. Alternatively, people can share their thoughts on social media using the hashtag #GenerationEqual. 

Dr Ima Jackson, joining Louise Macdonald OBE as Co-Chair of The NACWG in 2020, said: “Racism and inequality is still a problem within Scotland, particularly for women. Women and girls are too often discouraged within society to reach their full potential because of both their gender and the colour of their skin. 

“We invite people across Edinburgh to share their views and experiences, whether they themselves or someone they know is affected by these issues. We will use this feedback to help advise the First Minister what is needed to tackle gender inequality and racism through our recommendations. This is an opportunity for the people of Edinburgh to play a part in real and lasting change for everyone in Scotland.”  

Read The NACWG’s 2019 report and recommendations at onescotland.org/NACWG.

‘While we are devastated by the verdict, we will not let it define us’

Below is a powerful statement written by the women from the recent court case against former First Minister Alex Salmond, issued through Rape Crisis Scotland:

The jury has delivered a majority verdict on the charges brought against the former First Minister.

We are devastated by the verdict. However it is our fervent hope that as a society we can move forward in our understanding of sexual harassment and sexual assault.

In defending Alex Salmond, Gordon Jackson quoted Woman H and said his client should have been a ‘better man’.

He said behaviour which others described as demeaning, intimidating and humiliating, was ‘trivial’.

The behaviours that Alex Salmond and his defence team admitted to in evidence were not and are not trivial.

Today we want to send a strong and indisputable message that such behaviours should not be tolerated – by any person, in any position, under any circumstances.

This has been a traumatic process however we thank Police Scotland and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service for taking our experiences seriously and for allowing our voices to be heard.

Many of us did speak up at the time of our incidents but were faced with procedures that could not deal with complaints against such a powerful figure.

Others were silenced by fear of repercussions.

It was our hope, as individuals, that through coming forward at this time we could achieve justice and enact change.

We remain firm in our belief that coming forward to report our experiences and concerns was the right thing to do.

But it is clear we alone cannot achieve the change we seek.

The outcome of this trial will pose many questions and be cause for much debate.

But as politicians, commentators and society reflect on this case, we would ask you to consider whether behaviour which is so often merely described as ‘inappropriate’ or is tolerated by society, is acceptable towards your daughters, granddaughters, sisters, wives, friends, and colleagues.

Many of them will already have suffered such conduct. Often in silence.

We would also request that as you debate, you conduct it respectfully and stay mindful of the many women in Scotland who may have had traumatic experiences and are considering whether or not Scotland is a country in which they can come forward to seek help and support.

This is more important now than ever before.

All people should feel safe, valued and equal in society and their workplace and it is imperative to ensure robust complaint structures are in place.

We should all take strength in calling out bullying, sexual harassment and sexual assault wherever it takes place.

And we should all seek to create an environment in which people can challenge and report these behaviours without hesitation or fear of retribution.

Some say that women’s fight for respect has gone ‘too far’. We argue it has far to go.

For too long, behaviour which should be condemned has been accepted and excused.

For too long perpetrators in positions of power have been shielded by their ability to influence and intimidate.

For too long women’s complaints have been dismissed or swept under the carpet.

And for too long, women have been let down by organisational structures which should exist to protect them, not put them in situations which endanger their welfare.

This must end.

To those who have spoken out in support – thank you, we see you.

While we are devastated by the verdict, we will not let it define us.

We hope through shining a light on our experiences, it will serve to protect and empower women in the future.

Be brave, be loud, be heard.

Signed,

Woman A, Woman B, Woman C, Woman D, Woman F, Woman, G, Woman H, Woman J, Woman K

Sandy Brindley, Chief Executive of Rape Crisis Scotland said: “This is a powerful and important statement that we know will resonate with many people in Scotland and beyond.

“More than a statement it is an urgent call for an examination of our attitudes towards sexual harassment in Scotland, a call for the end to the minimisation and trivialisation and a call for change.

“For too long these behaviours have been tolerated and accommodated and this cannot stand any longer. Enough.

“These women are brave, and we stand with them and hope that their voices are heard.”

Rape Crisis Scotland has also called for an investigation into the conduct of Mr Salmond’s senioe defence counsel Gordon Jackson QC, who was overhead – and filmed – discussing the case on a busy Edinburgh – Glasgow train.

A spokesperson for Rape Crisis Scotland said: “Protecting the anonymity of all people who report sexual crimes is of critical importance and is one of few reassurances that can be offered as part of an otherwise daunting and intimidating process. For this to be undermined by such a senior lawyer in a public place in such a high-profile trial is horrifying and completely unacceptable.

“Jackson is Dean of the Faculty of Advocates and we cannot see how this behaviour – caught on film – is in keeping with the Faculty of Advocate’s own guidance on conduct. There should be an immediate investigation.

“One of the most chilling aspects of this is Jackson’s statement about his strategy for the cross examination of one of the women in the trial: “All I need to do is put a smell on her.” This statement alone confirms the fears of many, many survivors who do not report for fear of what would be done to them in court. Trials should be based on evidence, not on smears and attacks on character. We need an urgent overhaul of how these cases are dealt with.”

Gordon Jackson talked of the ‘Holyrood political bubble’ during the trial. It’s a political bubble Mr Jackson knew very well – he himself was a Labour MSP from 1999 until he lost his seat in 2007 – to Nicola Sturgeon.

While serving as the member for the impoverished Glasgow Govan constituency, the barrister continued to undertake lucrative work at the Bar, provoking anger and cricitism – some even from Labour colleagues.

Jackson was widely known as ‘Crackerjack’, as he  repeatedly turned up at Parliament just in time for the 5pm vote. (For younger readers, Crackerjack was a long-running children’s programme, which famously started at 4.55pm.)

‘Women’s post-natal physical and mental health is a right, not a privilege’

In light of the current social distancing strategies and recent announcement of UK school closures, the founder of online post-natal fitness company ‘Healthy Post-natal Body’ has decided to suspend all monthly subscription fees for the next three months.

The act of kindness will be open to both existing customers as well as all mothers who have not yet used the service and would like to have something new and positive for themselves, to focus on over the coming weeks. There are no terms and conditions, fixed contracts or hidden clauses.

Peter Lap, founder of Health Post-natal Body, said: “This isn’t a gimmick or a promotion. We all have to look after one another right now and I’m a big believer in making sure I contribute to society rather than just take. Women’s post-natal physical and mental health is a right, not a privilege.”

Peter’s decision to lift all subscription fees follows the governments recommendations to minimalise social contact for at least the next 12 whole weeks, meaning many women won’t be able to see their personal trainer as often. Added to this, many families will now be facing financial hardship as a result of the sudden economic downturn.

Peter continues: “We are all facing a tremendous amount of uncertainty, stress and worry right now and it’s important that we look after our mental health and wellbeing.

“Prolonged social distancing is going to put a lot of pressure on families and my short routines have been designed so that they can fit easily into hectic schedules. Consistency is key and all you need is a short window of time to do some key exercises.”

Existing subscribers will have the next three months of their subscription charges frozen and those new to the service will be able to redeem this offer up to the 30th of April using the code ‘3months’.

Healthy Post Natal Body is a subscription service (normally charged at £8pcm) that focuses on the physical health and wellbeing of women who have given birth.  The online forum is packed with useful advice and weekly routines, focuses on the physical health and wellbeing of women who have given birth.

For more information visit https://www.healthypostnatalbody.com/

GRAHAM supports Women Into Construction initiative

Young women from across Central Scotland participating in the ‘Women into Construction’ programme have completed a three-day course to build a wind turbine, facilitated by leading contractor GRAHAM.

‘Women into Construction’ has been devised by Action for Children to encourage more females into the construction industry, where women currently only account for 14% of the workforce.

GRAHAM is a lead partner of the initiative and arranged for the group of young women to take part in the wind turbine project with ConStructEd Scotland at Sibbald’s training facility at Blackridge, to further develop their learning and gain practical, real life construction experience.

The hands-on course has seen the group manage all aspects of the wind turbine construction project from the ground up. Working outdoors in the elements, the team have built formwork, tested and poured concrete before erecting the turbine mast and assembling the electrics to generate power.

Each stage of construction has involved learning and using a variety of materials, tools and skills which can be put to good use in the working world when the programme ends.

Across the duration of the seven-week training programme, the young women from Edinburgh, East Lothian and Midlothian will learn about various sectors of the construction industry; each aspiring to secure an apprenticeship in their chosen field after they graduate from the course in May.

Suzanne Stevenson, Social Impact Advisor for GRAHAM said: “There is a significant gender imbalance in the construction sector, so initiatives like ‘Women into Construction’ provide a strong platform to show just how rewarding and varied a career in construction can be.

“As a company, GRAHAM looks to provide as many opportunities as possible to the younger generation, including apprenticeship schemes and funding further education. It’s been a pleasure to watch the young women progress throughout the course and we look forward to supporting them in their futures where possible.”

Charlie Douglas, 16, from Bonnyrigg, a participant on the ‘Women into Construction’ programme said: “The ‘Women into Construction’ programme has been a brilliant experience and opportunity for me.

“I grew up watching my dad and brother work in construction and I’ve loved being able to train in the same field, as part of an all-female group. The course has made me feel far more comfortable and confident as everyone is in the same position, learning the basics together.

“The wind turbine project was a great way to get some hands-on experience and now I’d really like to take this further and explore a career in the construction industry.”

GRAHAM is a member of the “5% Club”, an organisation consisting of companies committed to ensuring 5% of their workforce over the next five years is comprised of young people on structured learning schemes.

Those interested in applying for an apprenticeship with GRAHAM in Scotland are encouraged to send a CV and covering letter to: Glasgow.GrahamAcademy@graham.co.u

Women’s mental health hit by financial worries

Research shows women more likely to suffer from poor mental health than men thanks to heightened financial concerns – and young women hit worst

Women suffer from greater money worries than men, a study has shown this International Women’s Day.

Research has revealed that just under half (41%) of working women in the UK have money worries, a figure that dips significantly down to less than a third (32%) for men.

Statistically, the figure is also higher in younger women with 55 per cent of women aged 16-24 reporting money worries, and 53 per cent of those aged 25-34.

The recently reported research was carried out by Salary Finance, an employee financial wellbeing platform, and also revealed the shocking impact of these figures on women’s mental health.

The stats show that women with money worries are much more likely than their male counterparts with the same concerns to be suffering sleepless nights (51% to 43%), anxiety and panic attacks (62% versus 57%) and are more likely to have depression and suicidal thoughts (71% versus 65%).

These figures mean that when compared to those with no money worries women with financial concerns are over five times more likely to have anxiety and nearly seven times more likely to have depression. For men with financial worries, it is far less – they are 1.3 times more likely to say they’re suffering from anxiety and/or depression due to financial problems.

It’s also more likely that you will run out of money before pay day if you’re a woman, according to these statistics. Over a third (34%) of women are running out of money before pay day each month, compared to just under a quarter (24%) of men. Younger women were again much more highly impacted, being much more likely to run out of money before pay day.

Of course, the impact of maternity leave is keenly felt by the female workforce. Of those surveyed that took maternity or paternity leave, a massive 73 per cent of women said they took on additional debt as a result, compared to just 27 per cent of men. Yet resulting childcare costs did not cause significantly higher levels of stress for women.

Asesh Sarkar, CEO and co-founder of Salary Finance, commented: “In 2020 it’s disheartening to see such a discrepancy between financial wellbeing in men and women. Our extensive research has shown the crippling impact that money worries can have on the UK workforce, and see these figures that show women suffer much more.”

Although there were many differences the survey did reveal that there are no notable differences in the approach to savings between women and men, suggesting attitudes and behaviour play a far bigger role in saving habits than gender.

Another similarity between men and women was an apparent unwillingness to discuss their finances. This highlights a general attitude rather than a gender-specific issue.

Asesh added: “Whilst the figures show that women are suffering more as a result of poor financial wellbeing, it’s important to remember that financial stress and concerns affects a wide range of people, regardless of gender, age or salary. 

“There is a need to tackle the stigma attached to discussing financial concerns and this is where financial solutions in the workplace can help. It is therefore important for employers to take an interest in the financial health of their employees.

“Our research has shown that around 77 per cent of workers feel they can trust their employer when it comes to sharing personal information. This really highlights the role that employers can play when it comes to tackling the issue of poor financial wellbeing amongst the UK workforce.”