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NEWS • VIEWS • INFORMATION • ADVICE


INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ELIMINATION OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

Tackle violence and abuse of women and girls

Elimination of violence against women

The Coalition Government’s programme of spending cuts will seriously hamper efforts to tackle violence and abuse of women and girls, the NASUWT warned as it took part in a number of events to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

Thousands of women took to the streets of London waving NASUWT placards for the annual Reclaim the Night march.

The event aims to empower women to ‘take back’ the streets and send out a message of opposition to all forms of violence and abuse against women and girls.

Addressing the rally on behalf of the NASUWT, Helen Russell, NASUWT Principal Official for Equality and Training, commended the demonstration of solidarity but warned that vulnerable women and girls would be placed at even greater risk of violence and abuse as a result of the Coalition’s programme of cuts.

She said: “Poverty and violence against women are linked.

“Low wages and cuts in benefits mean that women have less financial means to flee abusive relationships, and cuts in public services will mean that anti-violence projects will be cut, service provision will be reduced and women will be unable to receive care and the social support needed to leave violent environments.

“Even cuts in things like subsidies for public transport or council spending on things like street lighting will mean that women are put at risk. We must challenge collectively the prevailing ideology that the cuts are necessary. There is an alternative.”

The message of collective action to fight the Coalition’s plans was echoed by Jennifer Moses, NASUWT National Official for Equality and Training, who addressed delegates at the Womenkind Conference, which examined the role of schools in preventing violence against women and girls.

Ms Moses highlighted the increasing problem of cyber- and prejudice-related bullying against girls in schools, and pointed to the work that has been undertaken by the NASUWT, in collaboration with the Labour Government, to support schools in tackling the problem.

It is also important to remember, she emphasised, that such abuse is not confined to students, pointing to NASUWT research that shows that nearly one in five female teachers has suffered sexist abuse at school or college. This data clearly shows that there is a huge role for schools to play in educating young people about violence, Ms Moses told delegates, saying:

“Effective strategies to tackle violence against women require concerted action across all areas of society, including schools and colleges.

“The NASUWT believes that all children and young people and staff in schools have a right to learn and work in a safe and secure environment that is free from intimidation, harassment, abuse and fear and where they feel valued and respected.”


"We must challenge collectively the prevailing ideology that the cuts are necessary. There is an alternative."


"Effective strategies to tackle violence against women require concerted action across all areas of society, including schools and colleges."


"Poverty and violence against women are linked"


Go online www.nasuwt.org.uk/WomenTeachers


European concessions for members

NASUWT members can take advantage of a range of money-saving opportunities when they visit Europe.

The European Concessions card is available free of charge from the Union and is widely accepted as proof of teacher status.

It entitles holders to free or reduced entry charges to museums, art galleries and other attractions across the continent. Holders just need to sign and attach a passport-sized photo of themselves to validate the card, which sets out the holder’s credentials in Spanish, German, French and English.

For more information and to obtain a card, contact the NASUWT’s Recruitment Team on 0121 453 6150 or email recruitment@mail.nasuwt.org.uk.