A new campaign has been launched by the UK Musicians’ Union titled #MakeWomenVisible. Following the UK Government’s focus on reopening the economy, concerns have been raised that childcare and social care provisions for vulnerable people have been overlooked. As lockdown is lifted in the UK, the Musicians’ Union has banded together with over 65 organisations in the campaign to #MakeWomenVisible with the aim of making sure women and girls are not left behind as lockdown is lifted.
What is the campaign about?
The campaign focuses on existing inequalities that have been made worse following the Covid-19 crisis, namely the issue that women undertake the majority of unpaid care. As many shops and public facilities begin to reopen, lack of childcare prevents many parents from returning to work.
Single parents are struggling, 90% of which are women. Women from ethnic minority backgrounds were more likely to be facing financial problems that included not having enough money to feed their children during lockdown.
Of disabled women, 56% have struggled to cope with social isolation during this time.
The campaign also highlights the need to keep women safe from violence and abuse, invest in provisions for childcare, and support all women regardless of their immigration status in the UK.
What is the MU calling for?
The MU and the 65+ organisations forming this coalition have made recommendations to the UK Government that include:
- Prioritising care
- Safeguarding women’s incomes
- Public health and protecting women from a second wave
- Addressing the disproportionate impact on Black, Asian and ethnic minority women
- Making women safe from violence and abuse
- Disabled women and older women, and self-isolating and shielding households
- Women in prison
- Women’s representation in crisis decision making
Who is leading the campaign?
The campaign and urgent call to action has been led by The Fawcett Society, who are the UK’s leading membership charity campaigning for gender equality and women’s rights at work, at home and in public life. The Fawcett Society outlines their campaigns are to:
Fight for equal pay. 50 years from the Equal Pay Act, women deserve the right to know what a male colleague doing the same work is paid if they suspect pay discrimination.
Secure equal power. Just 34% of MPs and 35% of councillors are women. We’re campaigning to get more women in all our diversity into politics at every level.
Challenge attitudes and change minds. We are working to tackle gender stereotypes that hold back our children.
Defend women’s rights during Covid-19. We’re campaigning to ensure that women are not left behind or their needs ignored during the crisis.
“Our vision is a society in which women and girls in all their diversity are equal and truly free to fulfil their potential, creating a stronger, happier, better future for us all.”
Find out more about the work that the Fawcett Society do, and get involved at: https://www.fawcettsociety.org.uk/
What can I do to get behind #MakeWomenVisible?
If you are in the UK, you can download the Fawcett Society’s briefing from their website and send it to your MP, urging them to make sure women and girls are not left behind as lockdown is lifted.
For those elsewhere in the world and those who want to spread awareness, you can also share on social media using the hashtag #MakeWomenVisible.
Also by Michelle Sciarrotta:
Women’s Audio Mission: Free Online Learning Resources
Sophia Dalton: Interview with a London based Stage Manager