Women’s equality in the UK – A health check

10.13
10.14
10.15
10.16
boys and one in three girls think it is acceptable to sometimes hit a woman or force her to have
sex. 21 (See General Recommendation 19)
It is clear that there is a huge task of communication to be achieved if teachers are to recognise
that they have a role in challenging narrow constructions of gender and stereotypes of
masculinity and femininity. Schools are pressured workplaces, and teachers are under constant
scrutiny in relation to their pupils’ attainment. Schools are required to be Ofsted inspection
‘ready’ and focus on the areas of school improvement in which Ofsted 22 are demanding
evidence but which is not setting an agenda which values or encourages activities to challenge
gender stereotypes.
Homophobic/biphobic bullying and attitudes, against both pupils and teachers, must also
be tackled in the education system as it can have enduring impacts on lesbian and bisexual
women’s lives. 23 There is a need for more education and support organisations for these women
in the education system. 24
A 2011 report on prejudice based bullying revealed that bullying and harassment on the basis
of body image and sexism are the most prevalent (16% and 13% respectively). Further, a 2008
survey found that female teachers were more likely to experience gender-based bullying (17%
compared to 6% of male teachers). 25
Recommendations:
• Overt statements stressing that sexism and sexual bullying are not tolerated must
form schools visual vernacular alongside positive images of girls and women in
schools
• There should be statutory guidance for schools on how to address issues relating
to violence against women and girls (VAWG). The UK is obliged under international
law 26 and CEDAW to train school staff on gender equality and VAWG
• There is a need for a clear route for identification, referral, and support of girls
affected by VAWG
The Equality Duty
The Government claims in its report that the Public Sector Equality Duty 27 will have an impact on
schools. This is unfortunately unlikely to happen. The Government, and specifically the DfE, is
providing absolutely no support or information for schools or for teachers about understanding
the expectations for schools contained in the Equality Duty. In fact, the Government has
prevented the Commission for Education and Human Rights from being able to lay a statutory
code of practice in relation to the Equality Duty before Parliament. There will, therefore, be
no statutory guidance for schools on using the Equality Duty to challenge sexism, sexual
harassment and bullying, or gender stereotypes, and other kinds of inequality.
21. End Violence Against Women Coalition, Schools Safe 4 Girls http://www.endviolenceagainstwomen.org.uk/schools-safe-4-girls Accessed:
25/03/13
22. Ofsted http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/ Accessed: 25/03/13
23. Guasp, A. (2012) The School Report: The experiences of gay young people in Britain’s schools in 2012. Stonewall: London http://www.
stonewall.org.uk/documents/school_report_2012%282%29.pdf
24. Women’s Resource Centre (2010) In All Our Colours: Lesbian, bisexual and trans women’s services in the UK. Briefing 10: LBT women and
health. WRC: London
25. NASUWT (2011) The Experience of Prejudice-Related Bullying and Harassment Amongst Teachers and Headteachers in Schools. http://
tinyurl.com/am4ydne
26. Beijing Platform for Action http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/beijing/platform/
27. Equality Act 2010: Guidance https://www.gov.uk/equality-act-2010-guidance Accessed: 25/03/13
Women’s equality in the UK: CEDAW shadow report 2013 87