Monday, March 30, 2009
Brighton Council sign up to charter to protect women at work
Brighton and Hove Council have become one of the first UK authorities to join a charter which aims to protect women in the workplace.The Fawcett Charter is a coalition of top employers that are committed to make sure women are treated equally at work.
By signing up to this charter, the council have agreed to review its internal procedures to avoid putting women in situations where they are viewed as objects. It also agreed to audit employee expenses, to check that council money is not being used in lap dancing clubs.
Green Councillor, Amy Kennedy was the first to urge the council to sign up to the charter, she said:
“I’m delighted the council has taken this stand. While we already have numerous robust policies in place to ensure women employed by Brighton & Hove City Council are treated with respect, signing up to the Fawcett Charter sends a clear message across the city: sexism in the work place is not acceptable".
She said it was important to give this message clearly, because women are particularly vulnerable during the recession which involves greater competition for jobs.
The charter is named after Dame Millicent Garrett Fawcett, who played an important role in campaigning for women to get the right to vote. She was also married to Henry Fawcett, an MP for Brighton between 1865-1874.
For more information about the Greens, view:
www.brightonandhovegreenparty.org.uk
Pictures Caroline Lucas MEP and Green Cllr Amy Kennedy
