SW ForumDimensions of inequality in the

South westBrenda Weston

Equality Development Officer (Policy)

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• “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. Let each know that … the body, the mind and the soul have been freed to fulfil themselves”. Nelson Mandela

• “Leadership should be born out of the understanding of the needs of those who would be affected by it”. Marian Anderson

• “… I'm interested in power that is moral, that is right and that is good. Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.” Martin Luther King

Knowledge is power!

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Building knowledge - generating power

The Equality Measurement Framework-• EHRC measure - ‘How Fair is Britain?’ report• Based on idea of ‘human flourishing’• Ten dimensions of equality• Empowering through knowledge• Big Society ... big equalities challenge

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Background & theoretical basis

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• Aristotle, Amartya Sen and ‘human flourishing’• Focuses on the central and valuable things in life that

people can actually do and be • Measures the resources that people have identified as necessary for them to flourish

• Moves the equality debate away from differences in incomes and wealth toward a wider economic and social outcomes/factors

Ten dimensions – five pairs

Helpful to group these into five pairs:• Life (4 indicators) and Health (5 indicators);• Physical and (4 indicators) Legal Security (4 indicators);• Education and Learning (5 indicators) and Standard of Living

(5 indicators);• Productive and Valued Activities (5 indicators) and

Individual, Family and Social Life (4/5 indicators);• Identity, Expression and Self-Respect (5 indicators) and

Participation, Influence and Voice (5 indicators).

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• Aim to fill gaps in knowledge and stats by producing qualitative data

• Use the 10 dimensions to work with equality groups and partners– Generate new data through focus groups/

workshops/ surveys– Explore ways to cascade EMF workshops to local

groups to build localised evidence

ESW and the ten dimensions

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SWTEN example

• Three discussion groups, 3 ‘dimensions’ each• + all did ‘identity, expression and self-respect’– Agreed and recorded areas of discrimination and

disadvantage experienced under each dimension; at what life stage/s; and what needed in order to address these

– Plenary to share, add to, agree conclusions– Draft report for further comment/amendment– Final report: published November 2009: ‘Transgender:

Dimensions of Equality in the South West’

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Women• “In the previous job when I was unwell I would take the time as TOIL …

there’s such a burden on me as a woman having to take time off to care for someone else. ” Public sector professional

• “Skills that women do develop (as mothers) we don’t recognise ourselves – we go back into the job market and no-one’s talking about the skills we bring … we feel grateful for a chance to work…”

• “Violence has many manifestations, and I think in fact it’s a violent assault to call somebody ... a racist name – and I feel I’ve experienced a violent assault at work in terms of ongoing relentless racism that’s made me feel incredibly unsafe”. Black British self employed professional

• “My identity is Christian, Socialist and Feminist... I do not seek to hide (these aspects) but I do not want to bring an adverse reaction upon myself...”

• “For me this (research) is really important, so I appreciate that if this is one legacy we can leave … to enable women to get together and to think about things … because I think that helps with the ‘who you are’ question.”

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Transgender

• “It takes so much strength and courage to keep going as a Trans person that there’s little room for anything else.”

• It was felt that there are ‘no education policies for Transgender’ or that existing policies are ineffective ... Members identified issues of isolation and non-acceptance, and a lack of understanding and support in further and higher education environments.

• The fear and reality of hate crime was of key importance to the standard of living of Transgender people, who are “Attacked for who we are”.

• “Many Trans people are still terrified of being identified as such, and with good reason. “

• From as young as two years children may know their true gender identity, but lack the confidence and vocabulary to do anything about it ... 80% of those who go on to transition knew by the time they were 8 years old that their gender identity was at odds with society’s perception.

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Sexual Orientation

• “I feel quite strongly about this - as a lesbian I don’t think I can be myself, due to discrimination I’ve experienced, and attitudes I hear expressed by people who assume I’m heterosexual … I feel like I have to live this pretty boring life because I don’t want to be discriminated against and I don’t want the organisation I work for to lose credibility or acceptance.”

• “I was continually called names at work, and physically assaulted but was not backed up by the management, leading to a mental breakdown and ill-health retirement.

• “I have certainly been treated differently (less positively) once people realise my sexual identity. I do think a majority of people in our society do not believe that there are gay women...”

• “Workplaces, schools/colleges/universities etc. need to have training on equality and diversity. Not just for LGBT's but for everyone, it needs to be addressed and these are the best and most viable places to do it

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What do we want?

• All strands participate in EMF exercises in ways that they prefer (e.g. LGB&T region-wide survey based around dimensions)

• Reports collate direct experience in the South West (and local areas)

• Regional and local groups empowered by evidence• Public bodies presented with local and regional data• The public and equality groups understand equality

and diversity - and each other - better!

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Questions or comments?

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