20 February 2012
10 February 2012
13-02-12, Talk for Womankind Worldwide, international women's rights charity
‘Global women’s rights: a journey’, 13 February 2012, 18:00
What’s the event? The talk is called ‘Global women’s rights: a journey’ and I am speaking on behalf of Womankind Worldwide, a leading international women’s human rights and development organisation.
Why are you involved? I am a writer, blogger and campaigner for equality, and my passion is achieving change. I am part of Womankind Worldwide’s speaker network, speaking at events about organisation’s work and the difference that it makes to women’s rights.
Why should we come? Many women in developing countries do not have the rights that we take for granted in the UK. Come to the talk to find out how Womankind supports partners in 15 countries, aiming to eliminate violence against women, increase women’s participation in politics and mobilise resources for women’s rights.
What questions should we ask? Ask about the women’s stories, the journeys they take and the statistics that are changing for the better. Ask what Womankind Worldwide is doing to improve women’s lives. And ask how we can support them.
What homework should we do? Come with an open mind with a view to learn, understand and support. Look at Womankind Worldwide’s website, my website and read about our work and campaigns. Follow us on twitter here and here.
19 January 2012
Ed Balls has got it right - and wrong. And so have the unions
Or: What Labour needs to do to win the next election
This article is published in Liberal Conspiracy
Ed Balls thought he was being ballsy when he spoke of his proposed public sector pay freeze at the Fabian conference on Saturday. And he was. He was being realistic, and he thought people would see his honesty as bravery. There’s no point in promising something we can’t deliver, he thought and – with no alternative clearly worked out – the most sensible option is to stay put, hold on tight to the status quo.
But not quite. The Tories are going too hard, too fast, he keeps saying. So he thinks the cuts should take place at a slower rate (this is right) and should be better thought out (right too).
The trouble is this is only half of a plan. What’s starkly obvious is what’s missing. What is Labour’s alternative? Balls came out with his announcement as if it’s the boldest thing he’s said in months. See this Newsnight clip. It’s only common sense, nothing more, and only a short term solution. It’s not good enough. It’s not the answer the nation wants and needs.
His error was two-fold. First, in his communication – telling the world as if he came up with something original and as if it’s the solution. Second, for not being more imaginative. People want a long term solution. We need to be radical.
And what of the unions? They have reacted angrily to his proposal and are threatening to withdraw their support – these are the unions who got Ed Miliband elected. The unions are right to protest. They represent the workers who are severely badly hit in this recession and especially as a result of public sector cuts and bad management of them.
But they are right for another reason they may not even be aware of. This reason is innovation. A pay freeze may protect job numbers, but it angers and disincentivises the work force. The result? A stagnant, unproductive public sector. What it much better, much braver and much more radical is to cut or reorganise the areas that are inefficient and provide an alternative. The Coalition has attempted the first half of this, but not the second. Their attempts at restoring the economy have failed, their cuts are reckless and they certainly don’t care about equality.
The key for Labour, the winning formula, is to provide a credible alternative to the Coalition’s cuts while tackling growing in equality (which has been exacerbated by the Coalition) and stimulating growth.
Innovation is the magic word.
People need hope – we have lost that. We must grow and develop – innovation will do this. And we need leadership to guide us.
To transform the country and win back support, Labour needs to:
1. redistribute wealth, radically
2. stimulate growth in all sectors
3. reorganise and improve efficiency of state
How do we do this?
1. Take money off very wealthy and redistribute. Under this government, the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. Increase inheritance tax for amounts over a certain threshold, tax wealthy corporations more, enforce pay transparency and stricter regulation of wealthy landlords.
2. Provide opportunities, encourage innovation and growth. Identify young leaders in all sectors, give them start-up grants from the state, support and guidance to develop businesses and charities in their communities. Encourage young people to be entrepreneurs. Set up apprenticeships, and ensure there are pathways into jobs at the end of them. Capitalise on the innovative nature of the voluntary sector. The Big Society is a myth, so let’s support the voluntary sector more and we will see returns. Tackle inequality. Contrary to what the Tories think, inequality is not the price paid for growth (they failed on both counts). Provide universal childcare with money raised from increased taxes (see 1) and enforce a culture of flexible working.
3. Reorganise the public sector and resources. Good example is health and social care. Health reforms are needed, but not so that profit takes precedence over patient benefit (the risk and reality of the Coalition’s reforms). Overhaul social care system. Tackle housing issue: many people are without homes, many others are crowded into homes that are too small. At the same time, private properties sit empty. Tax landlords more (see 1) and use money to build more Council homes and increase efficiency and fairness of the system.
This article is published in Liberal Conspiracy
Ed Balls thought he was being ballsy when he spoke of his proposed public sector pay freeze at the Fabian conference on Saturday. And he was. He was being realistic, and he thought people would see his honesty as bravery. There’s no point in promising something we can’t deliver, he thought and – with no alternative clearly worked out – the most sensible option is to stay put, hold on tight to the status quo.
But not quite. The Tories are going too hard, too fast, he keeps saying. So he thinks the cuts should take place at a slower rate (this is right) and should be better thought out (right too).
The trouble is this is only half of a plan. What’s starkly obvious is what’s missing. What is Labour’s alternative? Balls came out with his announcement as if it’s the boldest thing he’s said in months. See this Newsnight clip. It’s only common sense, nothing more, and only a short term solution. It’s not good enough. It’s not the answer the nation wants and needs.
His error was two-fold. First, in his communication – telling the world as if he came up with something original and as if it’s the solution. Second, for not being more imaginative. People want a long term solution. We need to be radical.
And what of the unions? They have reacted angrily to his proposal and are threatening to withdraw their support – these are the unions who got Ed Miliband elected. The unions are right to protest. They represent the workers who are severely badly hit in this recession and especially as a result of public sector cuts and bad management of them.
But they are right for another reason they may not even be aware of. This reason is innovation. A pay freeze may protect job numbers, but it angers and disincentivises the work force. The result? A stagnant, unproductive public sector. What it much better, much braver and much more radical is to cut or reorganise the areas that are inefficient and provide an alternative. The Coalition has attempted the first half of this, but not the second. Their attempts at restoring the economy have failed, their cuts are reckless and they certainly don’t care about equality.
The key for Labour, the winning formula, is to provide a credible alternative to the Coalition’s cuts while tackling growing in equality (which has been exacerbated by the Coalition) and stimulating growth.
Innovation is the magic word.
People need hope – we have lost that. We must grow and develop – innovation will do this. And we need leadership to guide us.
To transform the country and win back support, Labour needs to:
1. redistribute wealth, radically
2. stimulate growth in all sectors
3. reorganise and improve efficiency of state
How do we do this?
1. Take money off very wealthy and redistribute. Under this government, the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. Increase inheritance tax for amounts over a certain threshold, tax wealthy corporations more, enforce pay transparency and stricter regulation of wealthy landlords.
2. Provide opportunities, encourage innovation and growth. Identify young leaders in all sectors, give them start-up grants from the state, support and guidance to develop businesses and charities in their communities. Encourage young people to be entrepreneurs. Set up apprenticeships, and ensure there are pathways into jobs at the end of them. Capitalise on the innovative nature of the voluntary sector. The Big Society is a myth, so let’s support the voluntary sector more and we will see returns. Tackle inequality. Contrary to what the Tories think, inequality is not the price paid for growth (they failed on both counts). Provide universal childcare with money raised from increased taxes (see 1) and enforce a culture of flexible working.
3. Reorganise the public sector and resources. Good example is health and social care. Health reforms are needed, but not so that profit takes precedence over patient benefit (the risk and reality of the Coalition’s reforms). Overhaul social care system. Tackle housing issue: many people are without homes, many others are crowded into homes that are too small. At the same time, private properties sit empty. Tax landlords more (see 1) and use money to build more Council homes and increase efficiency and fairness of the system.
08 January 2012
The Night Flower Folk: a poem about leadership and democracy
Today I bring another poem by Athos Athanasiou (see here for previous post with one of his poems). This is a fantasy poem about female leadership and democracy. The woman and the man both set off to find the 'night flower folk'. But they go for different reasons. He's the romantic. She's the pragmatist, the leader and the fighter. She uses her wit to rescue the man and to make the case for democracy.
The Night Flower Folk
They lived apart.
And few the folk who them admitted seeing.
Their skills were great.
They spun the night flowers into being.
And they could grant a wish or two.
At least some held this to be true.
His love was deep,
for the most radiant chieftain's daughter,
Who climbed the trees,
so they could fill the well with water.
But she knew nothing of his love
as she picked moisture from above.
He sighed a lot
as he sat, pining 'neath the sheep birds,
to catch the wool
that drifted gently off those sky herds.
And here he formed a cunning plan,
at least he thought that's how it ran.
So off he went
with just a day pack on his shoulders,
to seek them out
through woods and cliffs and streams and boulders.
Until he found their distant lair,
and in a trench lay hidden their.
She thought a lot,
as she would climb the water tree,
of unfair rules,
like how a chieftain she can't be.
Her father and grandfather both
had sworn the sacred chieftain's oath.
And she was wroth
with how injustice had been written.
And thus she planned
to go and ask those far off hidden.
So then she put on her blue cloak
and went to find the night flower folk.
The sun had set.
And now the night flowers were appearing.
so out he crept
to steal some flowers love revealing.
But as he picked plants black and white
his body froze entrapped in light.
From house they came,
to see who had disturbed their garden.
And found the thief,
who could do naught but ask for pardon.
And while they would his fate decide
they bought him to the house all tied.
They sat him down
asked what he stole the flowers for.
But ere he spoke
there came a knock from the front door.
They opened it to find out who.
There stranger stood in cloak of blue.
She spoke at once
"Why cant I chief be, like my father
its most unfair
that only men should lead them rather.
And you who're said to be so wise,
Can you help me open their eyes."
She took a breath.
Then stopped and wondered if they'd heard her.
Then stopped again.
"Why have you tied our sheep bird herder?"
And here they answered one as three,
"night flowers caught him stealing we."
"I know him well
and know he is no thief at heart.
Let's hear his tale,
before the accusations start".
At this he turned a vibrant red,
he closed his eyes, and shook his head.
"For her I love,
I came to take a black white flower.
For that was all
that I could offer in my power.
And here I'm sorry for this stew.
You see the one I love is you."
At this she sat,
and looked uncertain for a while
but then she rose
and did he think he saw her smile?
"If he would your forgiveness seek,
then let him work for you one week."
"He meant no harm
and it was but a passing folly.
So set him free
and things will turn out rather jolly"
But here they answered three as one
"If he goes free, you'll chieftain none"
Her eyes went dark
and fleeting shadows could be sighted.
But then they changed
and now they almost seemed delighted.
"I know just how to thwart your riddle
there's such a loophole in the middle."
"See times move on,
and rulers shan't be kin selected.
There'll be no chiefs,
the next tribe leader'll be elected.
And it's not up to dad or you.
The village people will say who."
At this she turned
and with sky sheep herder now free,
went off back home
the rest, say folk, is history.
Back at the hut, turned one to two.
"I liked her, she'll go far, its true."
Read the poem and others by Athos here.
31 December 2011
Happy New Year from Delilah
Happy New Year (and happy second anniversary to Delilah - see first anniversary post here). The Hamleys campaign has been a fine end to 2011. It was covered by the New York Times in an excellent article by Peggy Orenstein.
The American YouTube clip of Riley, a little girl who talks about princess toys for girls and superhero toys for boys, went viral and has now been viewed more than 2.7 million times.
Radio 4 PM had a piece yesterday on gender stereotyping of toys. I'm interviewed in that report: 17:42 into programme.
I will end this post with a wonderful poem written by my friend Athos Athanasiou. He wrote it earlier this year and said he was was reminded of it because of the mention of 'girl inventors' in the PM report. See this poem and more on his website here.
Now I'm off to drink some champagne...
By the shed
The American YouTube clip of Riley, a little girl who talks about princess toys for girls and superhero toys for boys, went viral and has now been viewed more than 2.7 million times.
Radio 4 PM had a piece yesterday on gender stereotyping of toys. I'm interviewed in that report: 17:42 into programme.
I will end this post with a wonderful poem written by my friend Athos Athanasiou. He wrote it earlier this year and said he was was reminded of it because of the mention of 'girl inventors' in the PM report. See this poem and more on his website here.
Now I'm off to drink some champagne...
By the shed
In a garden of cloudspun light,
some dreams, like wings, lie broken.
They could have lifted her
on up to worlds unspoken
She picks them up no matter
and puts them back together.
Like many times in sun
and many in bad weather.
The bric nick nacks of daily life
morph in her hands of flurry.
Amid these grand contraptions,
the inventor starts to hurry.
She blows away the engine oil
she welds the parts together.
Attaches gears and counterweights,
fine balanced as a feather.
No ordinary road for her,
no desk job strong and steady.
She yearns for future greatness
unaware she's great already.
some dreams, like wings, lie broken.
They could have lifted her
on up to worlds unspoken
She picks them up no matter
and puts them back together.
Like many times in sun
and many in bad weather.
The bric nick nacks of daily life
morph in her hands of flurry.
Amid these grand contraptions,
the inventor starts to hurry.
She blows away the engine oil
she welds the parts together.
Attaches gears and counterweights,
fine balanced as a feather.
No ordinary road for her,
no desk job strong and steady.
She yearns for future greatness
unaware she's great already.
29 December 2011
"Feminists don't have a sense of humour"
The Hamleys campaign has annoyed some people. Paddy Murray, who wrote an opinion article about me in the Irish Sunday World called 'Sexist My Arse', is particularly rattled.
Common objections about feminists and feminism are:
1. Feminism is PC gone mad (see my interview on CNN with Richard Quest).
2. Feminists don't have a sense of humour.
This latter point reminded me of a song someone sent me on YouTube a while ago. Check this out. It's Mother of Pearl by Nellie McKay. It made me smile.
Common objections about feminists and feminism are:
1. Feminism is PC gone mad (see my interview on CNN with Richard Quest).
2. Feminists don't have a sense of humour.
This latter point reminded me of a song someone sent me on YouTube a while ago. Check this out. It's Mother of Pearl by Nellie McKay. It made me smile.
27 December 2011
The Hamleys campaign: 'What happened' and 'Reflections'
Part 1: What happened
My Christmas present came early. Hamleys ditched its gender signs. The story blew up last week and has been covered by most of the national newspapers, radio and TV, and numerous other news outlets in the UK and across the world. Read the article in the F-word.
Part 2: Reflections
When Hamleys ditched its gender signs, the story blew up like a bomb going off.
It is now more than a week since the media whirlwind began, and a good time for me to reflect on the campaign. As media coverage continues to trickle out, gradually subsides, and morphs into other debates, I have been mulling over what happened. Why did it work so well? What can we learn for future campaigns? Read the article in the F-word.
My Christmas present came early. Hamleys ditched its gender signs. The story blew up last week and has been covered by most of the national newspapers, radio and TV, and numerous other news outlets in the UK and across the world. Read the article in the F-word.
Part 2: Reflections
When Hamleys ditched its gender signs, the story blew up like a bomb going off.
It is now more than a week since the media whirlwind began, and a good time for me to reflect on the campaign. As media coverage continues to trickle out, gradually subsides, and morphs into other debates, I have been mulling over what happened. Why did it work so well? What can we learn for future campaigns? Read the article in the F-word.
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