T heresa May's speech yesterday in which she announced that the Socio-Economic duty (removed from the Equality Act which came into force in October to be reviewed ) would now be scrapped, lays out the govenments approach to equality.  It's not just the loss of a clause which would have obliged authorities to consider the decisions they make on the grounds of reducing inequalities resulting from socio-economic disadvantage, but the tone of speech sees a move away from addressing inequalities from the top down and a worrying plan to bring in other providers, including faith groups, to provide public services.  Read the speech     

UN Women, the new UN agency for the advancement and empowerment of women which will launch in January has elected it's executive board.  See board elected   The inclusion of Saudi Arabia on the 41-strong board has attracted comment.

The budget proposed yesterday by the Scottish Government contained an Equality Statement which provides an overview assessment of the equality impacts of the spending plans.  The statement acknowledges the input of women to the Scottish economy and their role as unpaid carers.  Read the statement 

An exhibition celebrating the creative work of survivors of sexual abuse is at  Safe Space, St Margaret’s House, 9 St Margaret Street, Dunfermline from 3rd December.  See full details.      

                                                                      
Providing Anonimity to those accused of rape: An assessment of evidence - This is the report commissioned by the government into whether to change the law to provide anonimity to those accused of rape in England and Wales.  The conclusion is that there is no conclusive empirical evidence for changing the law and the government have abandoned the proposal.  

BBC Scotland reports on the 4% fall in the number of reported domestic abuse incidents - Read more

A survey of young people aged 18-25 by The Havens, Sexual assault referral centres in  London, has found that 75% of young women compared to just over half (54%) of men believe that if you change your mind and the other person continues with sex, that is rape.  Read the full survey 

Edinburgh's Queen Margaret University in conjuction with Scottish Women's Aid are offering a Post-Graduate Certificate in  Gender Justice, starting in January.  The course is made up of four modules - Engendering Policy and Practice, Queer Theory and Sexual Politics, Gender, Development and Health and Social Justice. Find out more...
 

29th November, 6pm - 8pm - Women and the Budget Cuts:  Engender invites you to have your say  Come along to let us know what you think of the proposed spending plans and find out about our Who Counts? project and how you can get involved.  Venue: 10 Constitution Place, Dundee.  RSVP info@engender.org.uk or call 0131 558 9596 

1st December, 5.30  - Cynthia Cockburn on Male Violence Against Women: Links Between Peace and War (in conjunction with the Scottish Parliament Cross-party group on Men's Violence against Women and Children and the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom)  Venue:  Scottish Parliament    Please email  dave.smith@scottish.parliament.uk if you would like to attend

2nd December, 10am-12pm  - Cynthia Cockburn on Male Violence Against Women: Links Between Peace and War  Venue:  STUC office, 333 Woodlands Road, Glasgow.  RSVP info@engender.org.uk or call 0131 558 9596

The Edinburgh Anti-cuts Alliance are holding a public meeting on Thursday 25th November in Edinburgh to dicusss how to fight the cuts.  All welcome.  See details here

The STUC Women's Commiteee invite all women to march with them at the Scotland United against racism march and rally in Glasgow on Staurday 27th November.  Assemble at 10.30 at St Andrews in the Square (off Saltmarket) for 11am March off and rally at 12 noon at the Glagow Film Theatre, Rose Street.  

Glasgow's Reclaim the Night March this year is on Thursday 25th November.  Assemble at the Botanic Gardens (junction at Great Western Road and Queen Margaret Drive for 6.30pm then rally at the S.T.U.C. Woodlands Road to hear guest speakers. All welcome.