Recently I wrote an article in Tribune on the persistence of the gender pay gap. I worked with the Office of National Statistics to produce data on the gender pay gap in the London boroughs.
You can find this data here:
http://www.maryhoneyball.net/pay-gap-work-areas.xls
http://www.maryhoneyball.net/pay-gap-home-areas.xls
The first table shows the pay gap in a place of work, the second shows the pay gap in the place of residence.
I hope that this data will be useful in continuing the campaign for equal pay for women and men.
Showing posts with label Equal Rights. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Equal Rights. Show all posts
Thursday, 11 December 2008
Tuesday, 24 June 2008
BONKERS BORIS SACKS WOMEN
No-one expected Bonkers Boris to stand up for women's rights. The Tories' record is appalling. Their MEPs have consistently opposed measures to improve women's lives including, amazingly, failing to support a resolution calling for the banning of female genital mutilation across the EU.
I have just come from a meeting of the European Parliament Culture and Education Committee where one of the Conservative MEPs voted against a report calling for women to be encouraged to study science and technology and take up management positions.
So it's no surprise that Boris Johnson has purged women from City Hall and scrapped the post of women's adviser held by Anni Marjoram. Anni did a good job for Ken Livingstone on behalf of women. Ken maintained one of the few dedicated women's rights officers in the public sector anywhere in Europe. London led the way, but sadly does so no more.
The Tories want to take us back to a time before equality of opportunity, a time when women were denied the chances they now have. For all our sakes, we cannot let that happen.
I have just come from a meeting of the European Parliament Culture and Education Committee where one of the Conservative MEPs voted against a report calling for women to be encouraged to study science and technology and take up management positions.
So it's no surprise that Boris Johnson has purged women from City Hall and scrapped the post of women's adviser held by Anni Marjoram. Anni did a good job for Ken Livingstone on behalf of women. Ken maintained one of the few dedicated women's rights officers in the public sector anywhere in Europe. London led the way, but sadly does so no more.
The Tories want to take us back to a time before equality of opportunity, a time when women were denied the chances they now have. For all our sakes, we cannot let that happen.
Friday, 11 April 2008
CREATIVE INDUSTRY- WHERE ARE THE WOMEN?
The European Parliament has just finished debating a report the creative industries. I spoke in the Chamber, highlighting the important role of our creative and cultural industries, particularly the increasing part they play in our economy.
As a member representing London, the creative hub of the UK and indeed Europe, I am acutely aware of the benefits that such industries bring to a locality. London is diverse in culture and thriving in its creativity and as cultural and creative industries represent a significant sector in London's economy, I welcome recommendations to support their sustainability and growth.
That said I find it of great concern, that whilst women represent a huge number of employees within the industry, their absence in high ranking positions is stark.
As the report rightly pointed out, cultural industries are an important vehicle through which European values are communicated. Equality between men and women is one of the most important..
The origins of our flourishing cultural and creative industries lie in the diversity of individual talents and skills. Member States must investigate and address the barriers that prevent our most creative women from entering the boardroom.
As a member representing London, the creative hub of the UK and indeed Europe, I am acutely aware of the benefits that such industries bring to a locality. London is diverse in culture and thriving in its creativity and as cultural and creative industries represent a significant sector in London's economy, I welcome recommendations to support their sustainability and growth.
That said I find it of great concern, that whilst women represent a huge number of employees within the industry, their absence in high ranking positions is stark.
As the report rightly pointed out, cultural industries are an important vehicle through which European values are communicated. Equality between men and women is one of the most important..
The origins of our flourishing cultural and creative industries lie in the diversity of individual talents and skills. Member States must investigate and address the barriers that prevent our most creative women from entering the boardroom.
Monday, 7 April 2008
BREAKING THE POVERTY CYCLE- WE ALL HAVE A PART TO PLAY.
Last week in the Parliament, MEPs invited experts to discuss "Combating Child Poverty in the EU". Whilst I acknowledge that child poverty is often best tackled at a local level, as the speakers rightly pointed out, a co-ordinated approach from EU policy makers through to practitioners at the grass-roots is needed.
As a member of the Women's Rights and Gender Equality Committee, what struck me was the significant impact of parents' employment status on not only a childs' risk of living in poverty but on their wider well-being. In the UK, for example, a child is five times more likely to be living in poverty if their lone parent is not in work.
To break the vicious cycle of poverty within families and communities, it is essential to provide employment opportunities for parents that offer flexible working patterns along with accessible and affordable high quality childcare.
I have and will continue to campaign for gender equality within the workplace. Equality of opportunity, however, should not start upon entrance to the labour market, or indeed into education, it should start from the day a child is born.
Parental rights and responsibilities are key in giving children the best start in life and I will be advocating their importance in the breadth of policies considered in my Committee work.
As a member of the Women's Rights and Gender Equality Committee, what struck me was the significant impact of parents' employment status on not only a childs' risk of living in poverty but on their wider well-being. In the UK, for example, a child is five times more likely to be living in poverty if their lone parent is not in work.
To break the vicious cycle of poverty within families and communities, it is essential to provide employment opportunities for parents that offer flexible working patterns along with accessible and affordable high quality childcare.
I have and will continue to campaign for gender equality within the workplace. Equality of opportunity, however, should not start upon entrance to the labour market, or indeed into education, it should start from the day a child is born.
Parental rights and responsibilities are key in giving children the best start in life and I will be advocating their importance in the breadth of policies considered in my Committee work.
Friday, 4 April 2008
THE EU IS NOT TO BLAME
Yet again the British media are blaming the EU for legislation of Britain's own making. “Guardian” jounalist Claire Dyer, who should know better, has implied that the EU has “forced” new legislation into Britain concerning staff dealing with customers.
There is just one small problem - the EU directive on Equal Treatment, which she rightfully cites in her article "New sexual harassment laws to protect staff from customers" (31st March 2008), does not actually say anything about staff dealing with customers. This part of the legislation coming into force on the 6th of April is the result of the British based Equal Opportunities Commission winning a ruling in the British High Court concerning how the European directive should be implemented.
This was, therefore, purely a British based decision.
There is just one small problem - the EU directive on Equal Treatment, which she rightfully cites in her article "New sexual harassment laws to protect staff from customers" (31st March 2008), does not actually say anything about staff dealing with customers. This part of the legislation coming into force on the 6th of April is the result of the British based Equal Opportunities Commission winning a ruling in the British High Court concerning how the European directive should be implemented.
This was, therefore, purely a British based decision.
Thursday, 27 March 2008
NO WOMEN FOR NEW TOP EU POSTS
After the European elections in June next year there will be some amendments to the way the European Union works. Yes, you've got it. I'm talking about the Lisbon Treaty. Two important posts need to be filled after June 2009, assuming all Member States ratify the Treaty. One is the President of the Council of Ministers who will serve for two and a half years as opposed to the current six-month rotating presidency. The other is a new leadership position in external affairs combining the roles of the present Council High Representative and the External Affairs Commissioner.
Both these reforms are highly sensible. It's not the reforms which are the problem. It's not even the candidates who are being put forward for the posts. The real issue is the lack of women. Despite the excellent representation of women in the European Parliament, currently standing at one third of the members, it seems impossible to get women into senior positions in the Commission and to a lesser extent the Council. There really is no excuse for such gender imbalance.
Both these reforms are highly sensible. It's not the reforms which are the problem. It's not even the candidates who are being put forward for the posts. The real issue is the lack of women. Despite the excellent representation of women in the European Parliament, currently standing at one third of the members, it seems impossible to get women into senior positions in the Commission and to a lesser extent the Council. There really is no excuse for such gender imbalance.
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