The Guardian published an interesting piece about claims of sexism in the upcoming Olympics. It can be found here and concerns the travel arrangements of teams to London.
It focuses on the fact that men were to travel in business class whereas the women's teams were to travel in economy. In the case of the Japanese women's football team, they highlighted the fact that they were the seniors, in more than just age. The response was that the allocations were made based upon the fact that the male team had 'professional' status. Australia was also highlighted in this article as they flew their basketball teams in different classes. Here however, there was an attempt to provide detail and evidence that could explain the decision to treat professional athletes differently. It was to be based upon.......height.
The Guardian piece points out that one female member of the basketball team was 6ft8 (spokeswoman had said the average height for the women was 183cm and for men 200.2cm) or 203cm. Whereas several men who were mentioned in the article fall below the average height for male basketball players and are nearer to the average height quoted for female players.
There was also a challenge at the High Court regarding women's canoeing, as this is not included at the Games. Locog responded by pointing out that it was not a government body but a private body. However, Wikipedia in listing the role of the IOC shows in point 12 that sports should be encouraged and developed for all. This seems fairly self-explanatory.
I am sure that the upcoming Olympics will be a fantastic celebration of the incredible power and strength of the human body, but it is a shame that in the run up there are these issues that in 2012 should not exist.
Monday, 23 July 2012
Saturday, 9 June 2012
Women in politics
In looking at the Arab Spring and articles discussing the involvement of women I came across a piece in the Guardian about the involvement of women in recent Egyptian elections. It painted a depressing image about the options open to women. With no female presidential candidates and representation in the newly elected house standing at only 2.4% where is the female voice?
The spokeswoman for one of the leading parties, Dr Hassan, said that she saw no problem with low female involvement. Arguing that it should be left to the men to protest for their rights on behalf of the women. How can Egyptian women and female bloggers there, hope to improve their position in society if one of their key representatives does not see a problem with low involvement from half of the population?
The article also states that the UN average for the percentage of women within political bodies (houses/senates etc) within countries stands at 19%. Considerably less than 50%.
This Unicef link provides a good point of comparison. The figures are based on data from 1994. The IPU (Inter-Parliamentary Union) link shows current 2012 figures. This shows that Rwanda is top of the 'league' table with women constituting over 50% of the seats in Parliament. There are however, several nations at the bottom of the table with 0% representation for women. These not surprisingly include nations where women can not currently vote such as Saudi Arabia. The UK shares joint 54th with Malawi with just over 22% of MPs being female. Again, still considerably under 50%.
How can we hope to improve women's lives and their position within society if they do not have close to equal representation within their political systems? The next question must surely be, how can we boost and encourage greater involvement from and for women?
*The IPU link is excellent for seeing exactly where and how much representation women have in politics across the world. It provides some shocking examples that can not be ignored.
The spokeswoman for one of the leading parties, Dr Hassan, said that she saw no problem with low female involvement. Arguing that it should be left to the men to protest for their rights on behalf of the women. How can Egyptian women and female bloggers there, hope to improve their position in society if one of their key representatives does not see a problem with low involvement from half of the population?
The article also states that the UN average for the percentage of women within political bodies (houses/senates etc) within countries stands at 19%. Considerably less than 50%.
This Unicef link provides a good point of comparison. The figures are based on data from 1994. The IPU (Inter-Parliamentary Union) link shows current 2012 figures. This shows that Rwanda is top of the 'league' table with women constituting over 50% of the seats in Parliament. There are however, several nations at the bottom of the table with 0% representation for women. These not surprisingly include nations where women can not currently vote such as Saudi Arabia. The UK shares joint 54th with Malawi with just over 22% of MPs being female. Again, still considerably under 50%.
How can we hope to improve women's lives and their position within society if they do not have close to equal representation within their political systems? The next question must surely be, how can we boost and encourage greater involvement from and for women?
*The IPU link is excellent for seeing exactly where and how much representation women have in politics across the world. It provides some shocking examples that can not be ignored.
Saturday, 2 June 2012
Women in computer games
Women in computer games, that age old discussion. In fact there is so much it is hard to even know where to begin. Do we start with the lack of female programmers (despite female gamers being on the rise)? Do we start with the way in which women are portrayed in many games? Do we start with the way in which for many young women computers and computer programming is seen as a male activity?
Before I start with women in games I want to look at those within the industry. There is a brilliant piece from Dev8D, which is a developer event, that looked at sexism in gaming. It identifies many of the frustrations, barriers and attitudes that women come across both at school and in the workplace. It is well worth a read as a starting point.
From there perhaps it makes sense to think about the way women are portrayed in games. I'm sure anyone reading this has seen or played Tomb Raider. With the main character being female n.b people automatically jump on feminists who talk about women in games and say 'but you've got Lara Croft, what more do you want?' Well perhaps we would like a strong female character (which Lara is) who did not have to conform to 'jiggle physics'. The piece on wikipedia in the previous link explores some fantastic examples of where women have been hugely let down by the gaming industry. The following Wikipedia (trigger link) link mentions a game called 'RapeLay' and I would urge you not to click this link lightly as the content and game description is distressing, unsettling and unpleasant. It has since been banned in many countries and on-line stores removed links to buying it. The game centres around a character(s) with the only purpose, seeming to be to stalk/hurt and then rape young women. I have not linked to this lightly and questioned whether I should but I was horrified to come across this game having never heard of it. But, I felt that people should be aware that there are people producing/who have produced this violent and vile material. We need to look at how games like this were ever produced and then how we can stop this from happening again.
It is games and stories like this that only further serve to explain why women make up 12% of the game programmers, the Guardian piece explores different reasons for this as women now make up 49% of gamers. This article also highlights the controversial Feminist Whore skill that could be picked up in a game to make a female character stronger. When the errant piece of labelling in released code was noticed it was removed but this does not remove the fact that a programmer placed it there. Perhaps this helps explain why game programming is an environment where only 12% of women feel comfortable or able to work. We risk missing a huge skill set and alienating half the population if we do not look at redressing the balance.
Before I start with women in games I want to look at those within the industry. There is a brilliant piece from Dev8D, which is a developer event, that looked at sexism in gaming. It identifies many of the frustrations, barriers and attitudes that women come across both at school and in the workplace. It is well worth a read as a starting point.
From there perhaps it makes sense to think about the way women are portrayed in games. I'm sure anyone reading this has seen or played Tomb Raider. With the main character being female n.b people automatically jump on feminists who talk about women in games and say 'but you've got Lara Croft, what more do you want?' Well perhaps we would like a strong female character (which Lara is) who did not have to conform to 'jiggle physics'. The piece on wikipedia in the previous link explores some fantastic examples of where women have been hugely let down by the gaming industry. The following Wikipedia (trigger link) link mentions a game called 'RapeLay' and I would urge you not to click this link lightly as the content and game description is distressing, unsettling and unpleasant. It has since been banned in many countries and on-line stores removed links to buying it. The game centres around a character(s) with the only purpose, seeming to be to stalk/hurt and then rape young women. I have not linked to this lightly and questioned whether I should but I was horrified to come across this game having never heard of it. But, I felt that people should be aware that there are people producing/who have produced this violent and vile material. We need to look at how games like this were ever produced and then how we can stop this from happening again.
It is games and stories like this that only further serve to explain why women make up 12% of the game programmers, the Guardian piece explores different reasons for this as women now make up 49% of gamers. This article also highlights the controversial Feminist Whore skill that could be picked up in a game to make a female character stronger. When the errant piece of labelling in released code was noticed it was removed but this does not remove the fact that a programmer placed it there. Perhaps this helps explain why game programming is an environment where only 12% of women feel comfortable or able to work. We risk missing a huge skill set and alienating half the population if we do not look at redressing the balance.
The Jubilee
Today marks the start of the four day weekend celebrations of 60 years on the throne. The reason I am choosing to blog about this event is not just from a feminist point of view, it is also from a frustrated Republican point of view. Walking down our local high street for the last couple of weeks every shop window has been slowly taken over by flag/monarchy related items. Including some unusual choices such as an accountants!
From a frustrated Republican point of view it marks another barrier to true equality in Britain, it also marks the fact that the church will never be separate from power as our head of state is also the head of the church. How then can we work towards a true secular society in which all are free to practice what they believe? Republic put it so much better than I could ever hope to and their site is well worth a read. In particular the information about how schools should be expected to behave during this period. An article in The TES also points out that schools would be violating sections 406 and 407 of the Education act 1996 if they do not present a balanced view about the monarchy.
This is where it gets interesting as you could argue that language such as 'glorious 60 years' as seen in many news articles (and no doubt on tea-towels and heard in conversations across the country) such as this one in the Daily Mail is not presenting a balanced view. Why should they? Much in the same way that I blog from my point of view, they write from theirs. But, what schools and educationalists will need to have thought about is how they use language to present this event. If you delivered material about the 60 glorious years it could be argued that you were presenting only one way to view the reign of the queen. If you read the earlier TES linked article you will note that this is an issue that seems to divide teachers.
Finally, to get to the feminist point of view perhaps. It took until late 2011 to end primogeniture in Great Britain, see here for a piece about this, that is 59 years in which our monarch reigned under a system that discriminated against first-borns within the royal lineage if they were female. A bizarre rule that perhaps harks back to a period in which women could not inherit property or have power over divorce. As a Republican I find myself questioning whether our monarch could have done more to end this sooner.
From a frustrated Republican point of view it marks another barrier to true equality in Britain, it also marks the fact that the church will never be separate from power as our head of state is also the head of the church. How then can we work towards a true secular society in which all are free to practice what they believe? Republic put it so much better than I could ever hope to and their site is well worth a read. In particular the information about how schools should be expected to behave during this period. An article in The TES also points out that schools would be violating sections 406 and 407 of the Education act 1996 if they do not present a balanced view about the monarchy.
This is where it gets interesting as you could argue that language such as 'glorious 60 years' as seen in many news articles (and no doubt on tea-towels and heard in conversations across the country) such as this one in the Daily Mail is not presenting a balanced view. Why should they? Much in the same way that I blog from my point of view, they write from theirs. But, what schools and educationalists will need to have thought about is how they use language to present this event. If you delivered material about the 60 glorious years it could be argued that you were presenting only one way to view the reign of the queen. If you read the earlier TES linked article you will note that this is an issue that seems to divide teachers.
Finally, to get to the feminist point of view perhaps. It took until late 2011 to end primogeniture in Great Britain, see here for a piece about this, that is 59 years in which our monarch reigned under a system that discriminated against first-borns within the royal lineage if they were female. A bizarre rule that perhaps harks back to a period in which women could not inherit property or have power over divorce. As a Republican I find myself questioning whether our monarch could have done more to end this sooner.
Thursday, 12 April 2012
Beauty Pageants and the young mind
Interesting piece today about a new beauty pageant coming to the UK. Called Miss Mini Princess UK. The site can be found here, as to be expected pink and super sparkly all the way.
What is perhaps more frustrating is the nature of this competition. Rounds that focus on clothing and appearance with just 90 seconds, yes 90 seconds, given to talent. A ratio of 3:1 in terms of appearance to skill. Press reports, as linked on the @NrthntsFeminist twitter page show that parents talk of it boosting confidence. But as a feminist I find it odd that you would believe that by having to parade and perform and be judged on your appearance, and your appearance conforming to a socially accepted norm of 'beauty', would boost a child's confidence. If you don't win your age group would you be forever wondering how you could look better or whether you should have worn a different outfit? Where then do you go next for the next pageant? Does it begin a cycle of possible body loathing or negative self-image? Do you feel the need to spend more on clothes, make-up, treatments etc?
If you don't win a tennis match or an art competition you know that you can brush up (no pun intended!) on your skills or work on your talent. There is something to practice and perfect. But if we are entering a competition based solely on our looks then what at the end are we left to work on? As a 'loser' are we left feeling we need to change something? As a 'winner' are we left with the knowledge that this is perfect and we must work to maintain this? Either way it doesn't sound like a fun mindset to be getting in to.
Will post in further depth about this topic later with greater research, just some musings while I remember them!
What is perhaps more frustrating is the nature of this competition. Rounds that focus on clothing and appearance with just 90 seconds, yes 90 seconds, given to talent. A ratio of 3:1 in terms of appearance to skill. Press reports, as linked on the @NrthntsFeminist twitter page show that parents talk of it boosting confidence. But as a feminist I find it odd that you would believe that by having to parade and perform and be judged on your appearance, and your appearance conforming to a socially accepted norm of 'beauty', would boost a child's confidence. If you don't win your age group would you be forever wondering how you could look better or whether you should have worn a different outfit? Where then do you go next for the next pageant? Does it begin a cycle of possible body loathing or negative self-image? Do you feel the need to spend more on clothes, make-up, treatments etc?
If you don't win a tennis match or an art competition you know that you can brush up (no pun intended!) on your skills or work on your talent. There is something to practice and perfect. But if we are entering a competition based solely on our looks then what at the end are we left to work on? As a 'loser' are we left feeling we need to change something? As a 'winner' are we left with the knowledge that this is perfect and we must work to maintain this? Either way it doesn't sound like a fun mindset to be getting in to.
Will post in further depth about this topic later with greater research, just some musings while I remember them!
Tuesday, 10 April 2012
Interesting events recently regarding equal pay; the first being @Cosmopolitan UK's campaign and e-petition to create equal pay auditing in the UK for businesses with more than 250 employees. A slow step in the right direction.
The second development, being less positive, was the move in Wisconsin to end equal pay for men and women as men need to earn more. Several articles have talked about the need for men to earn more as they will be the breadwinners. Even if not at that time!
What is more concerning is that this seems to have happened so quietly.
The most important thing to take from this is the importance of equal pay in the UK and the need to show your support: here.
The second development, being less positive, was the move in Wisconsin to end equal pay for men and women as men need to earn more. Several articles have talked about the need for men to earn more as they will be the breadwinners. Even if not at that time!
What is more concerning is that this seems to have happened so quietly.
The most important thing to take from this is the importance of equal pay in the UK and the need to show your support: here.
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