The Rights Of Man

EQUALITY IN THE UK 2012 - A SPECIAL ADVISER FOR WOMEN BUT NO SPECIAL ADVISER FOR MEN

Earlier this month Laura Trott was announced as being David Cameron's special adviser on women  - to make him more women-friendly and see all policies through the prism of a woman. It is no surprise that Ms Trott is part of the Hampstead metropolitan elite.

Considering that the Conservative Party and its coalition party already have a Minister for Women (Theresa May), a slavishly anti-male Equalities Minister (Lynne Featherstone), a Government Equalities Department  who do not believe men exist ("We lead on issues relating to women, sexual orientation and transgender equality matters; we have responsibility across government for equality strategy and legislation") and an Equalities and Human Rights Department who remain philosophically wedded to everything pro-women and anti-male, you do wonder what more does he need.

And to be honest, having such an appointment continues the anti-male special treatment for women schtick running through the present government (Blue Feminism!) - all run by metropolitan elite upper middle class women who only want more special treatment to give them and their daughters even more of a leg up. It is not aimed at the average women, who not only wants to make a success of her and her daughters life but also wants to see their husband, brothers and sons succeed as well.

What makes it worse is that it is so gratuitously offensive to those women and also to men, because the government not refuses to have a Minister for Men and also to support men and boys on the inequalities they face but that is refuses to actually even want to engage on men's issues.

SPEThe issue pointed clearly out by the letter that was signed by nearly 100 organisations supporting men and boys across a wide spectrum shows how trivial the government sees men and boys. They do nothing on the savage problems in educational attainment for boys, the unemployment rate especially amongst young and older men, the problems associated with depression, suicide, domestic abuse and of course men's health amongst other things. The only area of progress is shared parenting.

If government truly believed in equality, if it really has to have a special adviser on women's issues it would have the same on men's issues. But of course, we know this government does not believe in equality.

Posted by Skimmington

I couldn't bring myself to listen to it but others might  - you have been warned ;@)

PARISH NEWS - MEN'S NETWORK ON BBC RADIO 4 SHOW ABOUT MEN'S ISSUES

The Men's Network has reported that BBC Radio 4 are broadcasting a show on Saturday (07 Janaury at 11am) about the political importance of men’s issues. They are featured on it which is great news.

Posted by Skimmington

INTERNATIONAL MEN'S DAY LETTER - MEDIA NOT INTERESTED

I hope men and women are all enjoying International Men's Day (went out for lunch with my father) today.

Earlier this week this site reported that the Men's Network who are the UK coordinators for International Men's Day had put together a letterfor the Equalities Minister (Lynne Featherstone) which was eventually signed by 80 organisations and a press release sent.

Going through the 280 comments on a thoughtful article  in the Guardian's Comment is Free section by Ally Fogg (plus Glen Poole's contributions throughout), MarkBrooks70 reveals that no one has been interested in the letter or the press release:

"Not one journalist has called and it has been sent to a number (including the Guardian) today. Hopefully there will be something in the papers tomorrow."

So what media coverage has there been given to the letter. Well, none. The above does not count as it is an article and didn't over the letter (Mr Fogg will not have known about it) and while Cllr Peter Davies in Wales makes a great point and Preston FM has a whole day, the media's silence is deafening.

For International Women's Day in March there were endless articles and the Guardian even banned men from its Comment is Free section but this is not reciprocated by the media.

The fact that 80 charities supporting male issues and run by women and men were actually prepared to put their names to such a balanced and well written letter is a news story - yet why are the media not interested. Such is their hypocrisy and double standards, if "Women's charities" had written the letter about women's issues it would have been on the front page and all over the BBC's news bulletins. The Fawcett Society get a nice feature about their march in The Guardian

As can be seen by the number of events and days in the UK celebrating today (including a number of colleges again), there is starting to be a lot of momentum about today. It is a great pity that the media are not interested but shows the barriers that need to be broken down.

Once again, enjoy today.

Posted by Skimmington