Women's Newsletter - September 2005
If you would like to join our Women's Campaign e-network and receive campaign updates by email, please go to item 2 in this September 2005 newsletter.
September 2005
Contents of this newsletter:
- Women's group idea of the month!...The Vagina Monologues
- Make sure you're signed up for the 2005/6 e-newsletters!
- NUS National Women's Officer at your freshers' fayre!
- Liberation, Equality and Diversity in Action, October 2005
- New materials for the Autumn from NUS Women's Campaign:
- new 'pop art' feminist posters and leaflets
- the NUS 'being a women's officer handbook' updated for 2005/6
- current materials: pro-choice materials and a woman's place is in her union posters
- Jo Salmon (NUS National Women's Officer) to speak at International Women's Conference - 23-25 March 2006
- NUS Black Students, Operation Black Vote and Electoral Commission MP Shadowing Scheme
- Women in politics - Angela Merkel
- News from external organisations and events for you to publicise to your members
(a) Object Conference Sat 8 Oct 11.30 - 5, LVSC, Holloway Rd, London
(b) Fawcett presents INSPIRING WOMEN in partnership with the Guardian
(c) Women at the Top Conference, November 17 2005
(d) Reclaim the Night 2005, Reclaim the Night is coordinated by the London Feminist Network and supported by the Lilith Project
1. Women's group idea of the month!... The Vagina Monologues
This is a new feature in our monthly e-newsletter. If you have any good suggestions for women's group activities you would like to share with others, please email them to women@nus.org.uk and we will include them in future editions of this e-newsletter.
V-Day invites anyone to stop violence against women in their community by producing a fundraising performance of The Vagina Monologues anytime between 1 February (just before Valentine’s Day) and International Women's Day (8 March). V-Day is a global movement founded in response to the overwhelming reaction by hundreds of women to the award-winning play The Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler. Local groups such as students, women's groups, religious groups, political groups, women with disabilities etc. raise awareness and empower women in their own communities through their performance. All proceeds from these V-Day performances are donated to local charities specifically preventing violence against women. For more information, have a look at www.vdayuk.org
In 2005, 73 V-Days took place in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland. 36 of these V-Day events were part of the College Campaign, taking place in schools, colleges and universities and the amount of money raised was £60,000 going towards there local women’s charities. Why not put on a performance of The Vagina Monologues at your college or university in 2006? Not only could you raise money for local women's charities, this could also be an empowering and confidence building experience for the women who perform and for those in the audience. In addition, it is an excellent way of raising awareness in your college/university of the issues you deem important as a women's officer.
If you are interested in organising a performance then you can register at www.vday.org/signup the registration time starts in September for V-Day 2006. Once you have registered you will be an official member of the V-Day campaign (but you can withdraw from the campaign at any point). You will receive a copy of the new script and an Organiser's Kit. The Organiser's Kit will give you information about organising a performance of The Vagina Monologues. By registering to do a performance you are entering into a contract with V-Day and this means that there are certain rules and regulations that you need to adhere to and in return V-Day national coordinators will support you and offer advice and help.
More information will be appearing in the NUS being a women's officer handbook 2005/6
V-Day UK: Until The Violence Stops contacts details are:
V-Day UK: Until The Violence Stops
UTVS
Interchange Studios
Hampstead Townhall Centre
213 Haverstock Hill
London NW3 4QP
e: campaign@vdayuk.org
If you are planning a performance, please let us know at NUS Women's Unit too:
e: women@nus.org.uk
t: 0871 2218221
2. Make sure you're signed up for the 2005/6 e-newsletters!
Do you have a position in your Union/Association that makes you responsible for Women’s Issues?
Are you interested in knowing more about NUS Women’s Campaign and other Women’s Campaigns nationally and internationally?
Would you like to receive regular updates and information about the Women’s Campaign?
If your answer to any of the above is yes, then you should fill out this contact form so we can add you to our current Women’s Campaign E-Newsletter Database. We send out a newsletter once or twice a month that could help you in your work and interest in the Women’s Campaign. It will only take a minute of your time and all information is kept confidential and will not be passed onto any third parties.
We look forward to hearing from you and working with you to make the Women’s Campaign bigger and better.
Click here to fill out the contact form
Please return to:
Minda Burgos-Lukes
Women’s Unit Administrator
postal address: NUS Women's Unit, 2nd Floor, Centro 3, Mandela Street, London NW1 0DU
switchboard: 0871 221 8 221
Email: minda.burgos-lukes@nus.org.uk
www.nusonline.co.uk/women
www.officeronline.co.uk
3. NUS National Women's Officer at your freshers' fayre!
Would you like NUS Women's Campaign to be represented at your freshers' fayre? Invite Jo Salmon (NUS National Women's Officer) to come to your freshers' fayre to let students know about the national women's campaign within the student movement. Jo can be contacted on jo.salmon@nus.org.uk or through the NUS switchboard 0871 221 8 221.
4. Liberation, Equality and Diversity in Action, October 2005
PLEASE LET YOUR PRESIDENT KNOW IF YOU WANT TO BOOK ONTO THIS TRAINING!
In October 2005, NUS will be holding a training event for sabbatical and part-time liberation officers, where your SU Black Students Officers, LGBT Officers, Women's Officers, and SWD Officers will have the opportunity to network with other officers from across the country, learn about the issues affecting the students they represent, develop campaigns skills, and share best practice about setting up relevant groups on campus and retaining membership.
When? 18 - 20 October 2005
Where? Trafford Hall, Chester
Who for? Black Student Officers, LGBT Officers, SWD Officers, Women's Officers, Equal Opps officers
How much? 18 Oct Liberation 2005 - £15 H.E. / £10 F.E.
19/20 Oct - training - £180 (book 3 places and get one place free)
How do I book? Fill in the booking form and return to NUS
Tuesday 18 October 2005 -- Liberation 2005
An open event for all officers from President to Commercial Services to provide a forum to explore the history and reasons about why liberation campaigns are essential in the fight for equality, to find out what Liberation campaigns do and why we do it, and how your union can get involved.
Wednesday 19 - Thursday 20 October 2005 -- Liberation, Equality and Diversity in Action
This event follows on from Liberation 2005 and is designed for all part-time and sabbatical SWD, LGBT, Black Students, Women's, Equal Opportunities and Diversity Officers. It’s one of the few events aimed at part-time officers and will ensure that your liberation officers get the skills they need to fight for equality on your campus. To make it easier for students’ unions to ensure their liberation officers can all be represented at this event, NUS is offering a special rate for multiple delegates.
For more information, please contact visit www.officeronline.co.uk/training or contact the NUS Events Office:
events@nus.org.uk
0871 221 8221
National Union of Students
PO Box 5261
London N7 6XX
Best wishes,
Gemma Tumelty, National Secretary
Jo Salmon, National Women’s Officer
Sian Davies, SWD Officer
Pav Akhtar, Black Students Officer
James-J Walsh, LGBT Officer
Kat Louis, LGBT Officer
5. New materials for the Autumn from NUS Women's Campaign
- new 'pop art' feminist posters and leaflets
- the NUS 'being a women's officer handbook' updated for 2005/6
- current materials: pro-choice materials and a woman's place is in her union posters
NUS Women's Campaign is currently producing new materials for women's officers (and other interested student officers) to order. Theses are 'pop art' style leaflets and posters detailing some of the key demands of the women's movement. There will be a space for you to write local contact details to advertise your local women's campaign and your women's group.
The NUS being a women's officer handbook is currently being updated for 2005/6, with information about our national campaigns, hints and tips on running local campaigns and local women's groups, a directory of useful external organisations and much more! The handbook that was produced last Autumn is still available online at www.officeronline.co.uk
An order form will be posted out in the Autumn to union Presidents in the NUS fortnightly mailing to students' unions, emailed out via this email network and posted up on www.officeronline.co.uk
So, watch this space!
NUS Women's Campaign materials that are currently available are:
- pro-choice stickers
- pro-choice posters (with space for local details)
- pro-choice postcards
- A woman's place is in her union posters (with space for local details)
Phone Minda or Lizzie with your requirements - 0871 2218221.
6. Jo Salmon (NUS National Women's Officer) to speak at International Women's Conference - 23-25 March 2006
Jo Salmon (NUS National Women's Officer) has been invited to speak at the following International Women's Conference next March and NUS Women's Unit are part of the coalition of women's organisations supporting this exciting conference. The conference aims to highlight the experiences of women in the make Poverty History Campaign. If you would like to attend the conference or are interested in volunteering, please go to www.shlic.org.uk or contact 0208 317 0451/07985259503
International Women's Conference - 23-25 March 2006, Women at the Global Justice Heart of the Make Poverty History Campaign Supported by NUS Women's Campaign
SHEROES HERITAGE LEARNING INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION (SHLIC)
DATE: 23rd -25th March 2006
VENUE: London Borough Of Greenwich
THEME: Women In The Global Justice Struggle To Make Poverty History
SPEAKERS include:
Angela Davis, Naomi Klein, Jean Lambert MEP, Berverly Manley MP From Jamaica, Harriet Harman MP, Samia Nkrumah, Asma Al assad, first Lady of Syria, Vilma Espin, Vandana Shiva, Teresa Hayter, Baroness Tessa, Blackstone VC university of Greenwich, Jo Salmon (NUS National Women's Officer)
This is a three-day series of activities with the main events being an International Women's conference, an exhibition and Edutainment Show. This seeks to bring women activists from all over the world to share their skills, experiences and knowledge in solidarity with other women.
The conference aims to help mobilise and raise awareness about how poverty is created, its local and global impacts and how best it can be eradicated to enhance gender equality.
For further information please visit: www.shlic.org.uk or phone 0208 317 0451/07985259503
7. NUS Black Students, Operation Black Vote and Electoral Commission MP Shadowing Scheme
WANT TO BECOME AN MP?
Tomorrow’s Politicians
Based on the unprecedented success of the 1999 and 2002 MP Shadowing programmes, the NUS Black Students’ Campaign and Operation Black Vote supported by the Electoral Commission and in collaboration with the main three political parties is proud to announce the MP Shadowing Scheme.
The programme aims to improve the political representation of Black and other minority ethnic communities in local and national politics and gives 21 individuals with varying knowledge of the political process, but who are keen to learn more, the chance to shadow Members of Parliament from constituencies around Britain.
NUS and OBV invite Black and minority ethnic students aged 18 and over to apply to in the scheme which involves shadowing a politician for six months. They will assist the MPs or Peers with their daily work for a minimum of eight (non-consecutive) days over a six-month period. Participants will gain invaluable experience of parliamentary politics both at Westminster and in the local constituency.
Apply Now
The scheme is nationwide and applications from African, Asian, Caribbean, Chinese and other ethnic minority communities are invited from across the country.
The 21 selected candidates will shadow MPs and Peers from the three main political parties: Labour, Liberal Democrats and Conservative, with seven places per party.
For an MP Shadowing Scheme application form and background details please contact OBV - Tel: 0208 983 5430 / Fax: 0208 983 5492. Email: mailto:mp@obv.org.uk or download the application form from our website: www.obv.org.uk
Closing date: Friday, 14th October 2005
8. Women in politics - Angela Merkel
Article in the Independent, 15 September 2005:
"Six weeks ago, it seemed not to matter. So great was the lead her centre-right alliance enjoyed over all other parties that Angela Merkel seemed set to become German chancellor with that rare luxury in German politics, an overall majority. But with the final polls before Sunday's election showing a mere hair's breadth between her likely coalition and one that the centre-left Social Democrats might cobble together, it suddenly could matter. Sex, that is.The fact of Ms Merkel's gender always lurked in the background, of course. But so long as she was winning, the prospect that Germany could have a woman chancellor was noted with more curiosity than disapproval. For some it was a plus point, and a sign that Germany had come of age. Not only could a woman now head a major party, she could lead it into government.That was then. Now, chivalry, equal opportunities or political maturity - take your pick - have all been cast to the winds. The doubts many Germans secretly harboured about having a woman chancellor are surfacing in a nasty way."
Read the full article at:
9. News from external organisations and events for you to publicise to your members
Please note that whilst NUS Women's Campaign has been careful to check the suitability of these organisations as contact points for student officers, it cannot be held responsible for the work or advice of any external organisation.
(a) Object Conference Sat 8 Oct 11.30 - 5, LVSC, Holloway Rd, London
Object challenges the pervading culture of lads mags and lap dancing.
Find out what Object, our supporters and other groups are doing & how you can get involved
Special Guest Speaker : Catherine Harper (Scottish Woman Against Pornography)
Find out about SWAP's phenomenal success in lobbying the Scottish Executive
Work shop leaders : Damian Carnell (Nottinghamshire Domestic Violence Forum)
Sara Burdett & Beatriz Jahr Concejo (Objectors)
Lunch, tea, refreshments and Barbie cake (!) served
£5 members
£10 non members
Further details from Sasha : ido@object.org.uk
07931 729 017
Object women not sex objects
OBJECT
PO Box 22972
London N10 1ZQ
ido@object.org.uk
www.object.org.uk
(b) Fawcett presents INSPIRING WOMEN in partnership with the Guardian
Our annual Mary Stott Memorial lecture INSPIRING WOMEN is taking place on Monday 17th October, at Cadogan Hall in Chelsea, from 7.30pm.
At a fantastic venue and with exciting guests, this year's INSPIRING WOMEN is going to be even better and bigger than last year's launch event. This unique event sees Jenni Murray in conversation with a fantastic panel of women from various walks of life. Come and hear about the women who have inspired them, how they reached their own successes and what they think are the opportunities and challenges for women today. A warm, celebratory event that is sure to leave you thoroughly inspired!
Our guest speakers include writer and actress Meera Syal, British-Nigerian writer Helen Oyeyemi (who published her first novel The Icarus Girl while still at university) and Wendy Hall, Professor in Computer Science at Southampton University.
All proceeds from the event will go towards Fawcett's general campaign fund.
Our Inspiring Women website will be launched in mid-August at www.inspiringwomen.org.uk with information about panelists, Mary Stott and more. Tickets will go on sale in late August / early September so keep an eye on the website.
This event is organised by Fawcett in partnership with the Guardian
(c) Women at the Top Conference, November 17
In 1990 the Hansard Society Commission on Women at the Top, chaired by Baroness Howe, examined the causes of women’s under-representation in public life. Fifteen years on, the Hansard Society will review the original Women at the Top Commission, assessing how far the situation has changed. Findings will be published at a conference planned for November 17, 2005 in the Attlee Suite, Portcullis House. Confirmed speakers include Baroness Elspeth Howe, Rt Hon Patricia Hewitt MP, Eleanor Laing MP, Sandra Gidley MP, Jackie Ashley (The Guardian), and Caroline Slocock (Chief Executive, EOC). Further details can be found at www.hansardsociety.org.uk/programmes/parliament_and_government/key_projects/women_at_the_top
(d) Reclaim the Night 2005, Reclaim the Night is coordinated by the London Feminist Network and supported by the Lilith Project - 25 November 2005, London
NUS Women's Campaign is one of a list of organisations supporting this march. For more information, to download a flyer and to register to march, go to: www.ldnfeministnetwork.ik.com
Women only march:
Assemble 6pm, Soho Square, Soho, London, for women-only march through the West End
More details about assembly times and route will be posted shortly. Watch this space!
Mixed rally, men welcome
Begins 8pm, venue TBC
Calling all women and girls to march together in protest at the rising number of reported rapes in the UK compared to the falling conviction rate and the fact that women still cannot live their lives without the fear of male violence.
Last year there were over 40,000 reported rapes, yet currently our conviction rate is at its lowest ever, just 5.6%.
We know that 1 in 3 women will be sexually assaulted and that 1 in 4 women are living with domestic violence.
Every week 2 women are killed by a violent male partner in this country. All too many of us are affected by male violence, and all of us live with the fear of male violence every day - take this night to shout a loud NO, for ourselves, for all those women who weren't heard and call for an end to male violence against women.
*Please note the new NUS switchboard number and postal address below*
NUS Women's Unit
NEC Contact: Jo Salmon (National Women's Officer)
Staff Contact: Lizzie McCarthy (Women's Research and Information Co-ordinator)
email: women@nus.org.uk
switchboard: 0871 221 8 221
fax: 020 72635713
minicom text: 020 75616577
website for students: www.nusonline.co.uk/women
website for student officers: www.officeronline.co.uk
address: NUS Women's Unit, PO BOX 52611, London N7 6XX
View past Women's Campaign Newsletters at:
www.officeronline.co.uk/campaignsupport/women/newsletters
Return to this campaign's homepage or view all articles in this campaign.