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International Women’s Day

March 8, 2013 by · Comments Off on International Women’s Day 

International Women’s Day, Theresa May has urged people to speak out against abuse of women and girls in a video released to coincide with International Women’s Day. The home secretary’s comments come as figures from the charity Citizens Advice suggest that cases of domestic violence are disturbingly common. The charity said it received reports of attacks from 13,500 people in 2012, 80% of which came from women.

“I’m very pleased to be recognising International Women’s Day, a day that celebrates the achievements of women across the world,” said May. “But as we celebrate women’s achievements, we must also think of the problems that women sadly face all too often in the UK and in other countries across the world.

“I’m thinking particularly of issues like violence against women and girls, domestic violence and abuse that takes place outside of the home.”

International Women’s Day – which was acknowledged on Friday with a Google Doodle – is an annual occasion marked with thousands of events around the world held to inspire women and celebrate achievements. It began in the early 20th century.

May called for people to speak out and said that government moves to stop violence against women could “only do so much”.

“We need to change attitudes,” she said. “We can only change attitudes by working together. Government will do its bit but I want you all to do your bit too. So speak out, stand up against violence against women and girls and that’s the way we can eradicate it.”

Activists and anti-austerity campaigners are also planning to use International Women’s Day to demonstrate against the disproportionate impact they believe government cuts are having on women.

The demonstration has been organised by Reclaim It, a coalition of feminists and activists from UK Uncut, Occupy and Disabled People Against Cuts, which has been specifically formed to take direct action on International Women’s Day.

International Women’s Day

March 8, 2012 by · Comments Off on International Women’s Day 

International Women’s Day, PLAY rugby, become miners, broker peace in conflict zones and don’t post n*de videos of other people, are some of the messages for women on International Women’s Day. A report card gave Julia Gillard an “A” for effort as Australia’s first female Prime Minister, but the Australian Graduate School of Management (AGSM) also sounded warnings for the Labor leader.

It praised her conflict management, for making legislative change and re-engaging with the public service in Canberra.

But AGSM executive director Rosemary Howard says Ms Gillard is facing a similar problem to those of other women in top roles – being judged in terms of male leadership qualities.

“Here is a leader who has successfully managed a complex minority government to achieve a remarkable amount of legislative change in a short period of time,” Professor Howard said.

“Yet her public persona revolves around commentary and cartoons on her hair, voice, earlobes, nose and marital status, rather than on achievements as the first female PM of this country.

“The reality is that women in leadership roles are judged by different and often more superficial standards than their male peers.”

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh used a women’s day breakfast to trumpet Labor’s same-sex civil union reforms, as the man who could repeal them, Liberal National Party leader Campbell Newman, watched on.

Mr Newman promised 500 scholarships for women if he wins the Queensland election.

Federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott was also out touting for votes, promoting his paid parental leave policy and promising a Coalition government would give protection visas to at least 1000 at-risk refugee women and their dependants every year.

Bob Katter’s Australian Party was making promises about respect.

The party’s state leader Aidan McLindon was up in arms about a YouTube video that shows the faces of candidates Sarah Henry, Lynette Bishop, Terri Bell and Margaret Waterman superimposed on n*ked women’s bodies walking down a street with Mr Katter.

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