O ur event in partnership with the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) and the Scottish Parliament's cross party group on men's violence against women and children went ahead last night despite the effects of the snow depleting audience numbers.  Cynthia Cockburn talked about the everyday gender relations in society which ligitimate violence against women and how this is a two way street that predisposes men to the idea of war - and that this in turn feeds back violence to society.  Read more  

If nothing else the coalition government are responsible for mobilising an awful lot of people, the latest being a group called simply Women Against the Cuts.  The group have protested about the disproportionate effect the cuts will have on women and also to raise awareness of the fact that women will be expected to fill the 'care gap' created by cuts to services.  See the website, Women Against the Cuts for info 

T he European Women's Lobby has expressed concern that the European Commission is failing to develop a comprehensive strategy to tackle violence against women.  In a press release issued on Tuesday, the EWL President, Brigitte Triems says that the European Council and Parliament have made it clear that they eradicating violence against women is a priority.  However, so far the EU has no binding legislation to deal with violence against women and violence against women is not in the Commissions 2011 workplan.  Read more

A networking conference will be held in Oxford on 21st-22nd May next year called 'Women as Social and Economics Airbags'  which is a reference to women bearing the brunt of the austerity package.  The conference is now calling for  papers, workshops and speakers.  Please contact EScandrett@qmu.ac.uk  for details or see the website  www.greeneconomics.org.uk/papers/women2011.pdf
 

Along with so many other events this week, the Safe Space exhibition of artwork from survivors of sexual abuse, which was to open on 3rd December (see here), has now been cancelled due to the disruption caused by the weather.  Plans are for it to go ahead in January and i'll pass on dates when we know.