Women@Work e-bulletin October 2008

The WEA Women@Work project sends this bulletin to those who are listed on our database to enable you to be informed about topical issues relating to women. While we try to ensure that the information in this bulletin is accurate and appropriate, we cannot accept any responsibility for the accuracy, content or information provided in the hypertext links.

*** Women@Worknetwork members who wish to promote their own business or services across the network can now have a page on the W@W website – for details see member's page on www.weawomenatwork.org.uk or contact us by email on womenatwork@weascotland.org.uk ***

This is an extract from the EQUALITIES UPDATE: recent equalities news produced by the Highland Council and also distributed by the Highlands & Islands Equality Forum. Follow the blue links below to access articles relating to gender equality.

Aug 08 Modelling the gender pay gap in the UK: 1998 to 2006
An article in Economic and Labour Market Review examines the reasons for the gender pay gap in the using data from the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings.

27 Aug 08 Tackling domestic abuse
A number of recommendations aimed at helping the police improve the way the deal with crimes and victims of domestic abuse are contained in a report from Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary.

01 Sept 08 Acas urges businesses to avoid tribunal claims by establishing fair pay and grading systems Acas has launched a new guide to help make businesses less vulnerable to equal pay claims through the use of job evaluation. The guide, which considers the benefits and risks of undertaking job evaluation, explains how a job evaluation risk analysis should be established and implemented.

04 Sept 08 Closing the gap - new report identifies ways to increase participation of women in public life A new report published highlights what needs to be done to get  more underrepresented groups of women to play an active role in civic  and civil life.

04 Sept 08 Sex and power report reveals fewer women in positions of power and influence Sex and Power, the Equality and Human Rights Commission's annual report looking at women in top positions of power and influence across the public and private sectors, suggests a worrying trend of reversal or stalled progress - with only a few significant increases. Find out about Sex and Power in Scotland.

04 Sept 08 Harman: sex trafficking changing attitudes to prostitution
Harriet Harman, Minister for Women and Equality visits a project for women with women who have been trafficked into sexual exploitation.  The visit coincides with new survey findings which show that more than half of men and women (58%) support making it illegal to pay for sex if it will help reduce women and children trafficked into the for sexual exploitation.

08 Sept 08 Government pursuing ‘guardian’ system for child asylum seekers
Young people arriving in Scotland without a family member who subsequently claim asylum will be provided with a Guardian to act as an independent advocate for their rights under plans being developed by the Scottish Government.

08 Sept 08 Harman strengthens Women's National Commission
The views of women and women's organisations were given a significant boost as Harriet Harman, Minister for Women and Equality, announced ten new commissioners who will lead the Women's National Commission.

17 Sept 08 Tribute to Jacobite strong women
The role of women during the Jacobite rising of 1745 and at the Battle of Culloden is to be explored during events later this month.

22 Sept 08 Call for more women head teachers in England and Wales
Women are taking too few of the top jobs in teaching in and , an annual recruitment survey says.

22 Sept 08 New prostitution rules will protect trafficked women
The Home Secretary has announced plans to shift legal responsibility to those who pay for sex when the prostitute involved has been forced into that role.

24 Sept 08 Girls On Top Of Class (But Don’t Worry, Boys)
Girls still outperform buys at every stage of the school exam process, according to new statistics.

26 Sept 08 Healey announces support for Councils to deliver equal pay
Local Government Minister John Healey has today announced action to give councils in the financial flexibility they need to speed up meeting their long-term commitments to achieving equal pay for staff.

If you wish to comment in any way - please contact Frances Powell at womenatwork@weascotland.org.uk

Women@Work Project
WEA Scotland
David Whyte House
57 Church Street
Inverness IV1 1DR
Tel: 01463 710577
Fax: 01463 713671
E-Mail womenatwork@weascotland.org.uk
Website www.weawomenatwork.org.uk