Injustice Advent Calendar
An Advent Calendar with a big difference – Traidcraft’s special calendar reminds us all of those who need help – and not just at Christmas. Day 15 is about the Right to Mental Health. You can see how much you know about it and learn more by taking the quiz here.
Child poverty
Child poverty in parts of the United Kingdom is now so severe that the United Nations Children’s Fund -UNICEF – is coming in to help. Read more about it in this Daily Telegraph article
Women’s organisations highlighting current social problems
Two women’s organisations – Young Women’s Trust and the Fawcett Society – have published reports on problems affecting young women in particular.
Covid-19 impact on employment of young women
Young Women’s Trust and the Institute for Fiscal Studies have published statistics on the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on young women. BBC News coverage of this topic on 15 December 2020 here.
Gender stereotyping
The Fawcett Society‘s report highlights the negative effects of gender stereotyping on the mental health of young people. See the coverage by Pink News here.
The study links into the inquiry by the Women and Equalities Committee in Parliament. It is looking into perception of body image and how society influences that. See our post on the subject
The Hygiene Bank
Hygiene Bank collection points have started appearing in our local area. So many people now lack the basic necessities of life. Please help.
Hibiscus Initiatives
This month we discovered the charity Hibiscus Initiatives. Hibiscus Initiatives supports foreign nationals, and black, minority ethnic and refugee groups serving a custodial sentence, released into the community or returned to their home country. The charity has just produced a report about secure housing for female victims of trafficking.
Congratulations to Surrey County Council – they have been awarded
White Ribbon status
Surrey County Council’s commitment to tackling domestic abuse and violence has been recognised with White Ribbon accredited status.
The award of accredited status recognises the steps taken to tackle domestic abuse, both among residents and staff who may be experiencing abuse. The award also acknowledges future commitments to helping people affected by domestic abuse. Surrey County Council has increased its emergency refuge accommodation for families escaping domestic abuse. It also plans to have independent domestic violence advisers in Surrey’s A&E departments.
White Ribbon UK is part of a global movement aimed at ending male violence against women and girls and works to challenge cultures which lead to harassment, abuse and violence while spreading a message of equality and respect for all.
For information about what to do about domestic abuse, visit the Surrey Against Domestic Abuse webpage.
Guildford and Godalming Grandmothers for Grandmothers – the 4Gs
Women helping women
The 4Gs group presented an update on their work at a recent virtual coffee morning. They raised £440, a great result!
- 4Gs Group raises funds to support African grandmothers who are raising their AIDS-orphaned grandchildren. They help to pay for projects put forward by support groups in Africa.
- 4Gs works through the Canada-based Stephen Lewis organisation which is present in 15 African countries including Botswana, Eswatini (Swaziland), Ethiopia, Tanzania and especially Uganda.
Who are they helping?
Many African grandmothers play a vital social role in turning the tide of AIDS and in ensuring family care for their grandchildren – even more true with the Covid-19 pandemic. Their main concerns are unstable incomes and poor healthcare (some grandmothers are also HIV-positive).
What about Covid-19?
- African countries are less impacted by the pandemic – probably because there are many young people.
- They have experience of tackling malaria, AIDS and Ebola epidemics. Some tough measures are in place. This is good for reducing disease but prevents grandmothers from buying and selling produce in the markets. They also find it hard to get vital medicines.
- Gender-based violence and teenage pregnancies are more frequent. So more women and girls need help.
- Innovative responses, such as hotlines and house visits, have been established to keep in touch with the families needing support.
- Covid-19 has brought changes that increase the need for help from groups like 4Gs.