Women’s equality in the UK – A health check

5.15
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The response from the inquiry drew heavily on this evidence. 27 Lord Leveson said there is
evidence to show that the “Page 3 tabloid press often failed to show consistent respect for
the dignity and equality of women generally, and that there was a tendency to sexualise and
demean women”. He agreed with the key recommendation of the women’s groups that “what
is clearly required is that any such [new] regulator has the power to take complaints from
representative women’s groups”. Lord Leveson also said that consideration should be given
to Code amendments which would give the new body power to intervene in cases of allegedly
discriminatory reporting and reflect the spirit of equalities legislation. 28
Recommendation:
While taking care to protect proper freedom of expression, the Government
must ensure that women’s voices are not silenced in and by the media and that
stereotypes of women, which include the persistent and de-contextualised
sexualisation and objectification of women in the media, are eliminated so that the
media does not contribute to legitimising or promoting discrimination and violence
against women
Question:
What steps has the Government taken in response to the Committee’s 2008
recommendation to promote the value of gender equality for society as a whole, which
would provide the essential basis for proper treatment of women in and by the media?
Action on the ‘size zero’ debate and body confidence
We are pleased to see the Government taking some action on the representation of women
through the body image debate 29 and acknowledging the links between this, VAWG, and
discrimination against women more broadly. Research indicates that physically abused
girls are more likely to develop eating disorders and 61% of girls with eating disorders have
reported sexual abuse while 85% have reported physical abuse. 30 (See Article 12 and General
Recommendation 19 for further information)
However, the resources devoted to this campaign could have been used to support existing
work by women’s organisations on these issues. We are also concerned that following change of
personnel, with Lynne Featherstone MP no longer leading on this work, there will be no continuity or
further action around this and it will not be linked to other Government strategies addressed above.
Recommendation:
Body image should be included as a subject within Personal, Social and Health
Education including resources aimed at boosting young people’s body confidence and
self-esteem, along with materials to help pupils think critically about the images they
see on screen and in print media 31
27. Eaves, EVAW, Equality Now and OBJECT (2012) Just the Women: An evaluation of eleven British national newspapers’ portrayal of women
over a two week period in September 2012, including recommendations on press regulation reform in order to reduce harm to, and
discrimination against, women http://www.endviolenceagainstwomen.org.uk/data/files/resources/51/Just-the-Women-Nov-2012.pdf
28. Leveson, Lord Justice. (2012) An Inquiry into the Culture, Practices and Ethics of the Press: Report http://www.official-documents.gov.uk/
document/hc1213/hc07/0780/0780.asp
29. Smithers, R. (2012) ‘Girls aged five worry about their body image, say MPs’, The Guardian, 30th May 2012 http://www.guardian.co.uk/
society/2012/may/30/girls-aged-five-worried-about-body-image
30. Women’s Resource Centre (2008) Briefing: Violence Against Women, Health and the Women’s Voluntary and Community Sector. WRC:
London http://www.wrc.org.uk/includes/documents/cm_docs/2008/v/vaw_and_health_briefing_sept_08.pdf
31. Hannah, V. (2012) ‘How to teach...Positive body image’, The Guardian, 11th June 2012 http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2012/jun/11/
teaching-resources-body-image-report
50 Women’s equality in the UK: CEDAW shadow report 2013