International Women’s Day public lecture – 7 March 2019 Staffordshire University
#Balance for Better – Walking the Tightrope by Dr Laura Walton-Williams. A report from SI Nantwich members who went along to the lecture:
Following on from her #ItsNotOK public lecture in 2018 the lecture aimed to ‘challenge bias and promote gender equality’
‘Awareness of sexual abuse and sexual violence has increased significantly over the past few year but a report published in Dec 2018 indicates that public perceptions of the victims and perpetrators of these type of offences continue to be skewed by bias and gender stereotyping’
The lecture explored ‘how misconceptions relating to gender impact on the reporting and prosecution of sexual offences’
It was a very thought provoking talk covering a range of issues including how the use of language impacts on gender equality.
Laura also managed to get the audience engaged through their mobile phones answering questions about the words they associate with women and then men which was a fun way of getting us to think about our own assumptions! The key words for women were ‘STRONG’ and ‘INDEPENDENT’, and ‘STRONG’ was also they key word that came up for men. She also asked us what we thought were the most important issues facing women and girls today. These emerged as ‘equality’, ‘sexism’ and ‘discrimination’. Is that a surprise? What do you think?
On a more serious note, Laura shared some interesting research on the ways that male perpetrators of sexual assault justified their actions; mainly by blaming the woman.
Finally, Laura encouraged us not to be bystanders, not to think we can’t do anything because our experience of life is different, but to use whatever privilege we have, such as education, opportunity, positive attitudes etc to tackle discrimination and promote equality for women.
The lecture was broad ranging and interesting take on issues facing women to mark International Women’s Day in 2019, and well worth attending.
For those eager to know more and see the whole lecture, here is a link to this on FaceBook:
https://www.facebook.com/StaffsUniLPF/videos/2276088259330657/
Women Supporting Women in the local community was in full swing at Crewe Women’s Day 2nd March
Nantwich and District Soroptimists were part of Crewe Women’s Day at Cheshire College South and West on March 2nd this year – an early celebration of International Women’s Day that is held annually on March 8th to celebrate women’s achievements and help end discrimination against women. This vibrant event was brilliantly organised by Motherwell, https://www.motherwellcheshirecio.com/ a local charity that supports the mental health and wellbeing of Women and Girls. There was a full programme of speakers, events and workshops, including one from Soroptimist Marion Wade on Modern Slavery and lots of exhibitors. The theme was Body Image and Sexual Consent – very important issues to tackle in the current climate. It has to be said though that the tone of the day
Highlights of the day:
Laura Smith MP opened the event, speaking passionately about championing the cause of women’s equality and she came to chat with us at our stand.