Urgent - Ministerial Maternity Bill this Thursday 11/02

[ConservativesForWomen]

#SixWords
For the word ‘person’ substitute ‘woman’

It is beyond belief that it has taken governments 103 years to notice women in government may have babies. We are very pleased to see long overdue recognition of this fact.

But it is unacceptable that this bill talks about ‘pregnant people’ and makes no mention of women at all. This is not a situation that will ever apply to a male minister, so why the obfuscation of language?

The Equality Act 2010 is very clear; it talks about pregnancy and maternity using ordinary language. Women. She. Her.

We are encouraging everyone to contact their MP as a matter of urgency; there is less than 48 hours before this bill is presented. See our example letter here:
docs.google.com/document/d/1B24BPG-OL9-3I3vvm_mfR6UnVjVAkVXj6KI2gHG_dUY/edit?usp=sharing

Amend it as you see fit, even telephone your MP if you are able to. Language matters. Sex matters. Women must not be erased. Please email or call your MP TODAY. Share this post across your networks; it affects all women and all political parties.

This excellent article by @MForstater gives more detail. (Thank you Maya).

mforstater.medium.com/pregnant-people-in-parliament-62adaa521c2d

“Giving birth is not like chairing a meeting. It cannot be done by a person of either sex.”

Less than 48 hours to go. #SixWords (with respect to @JohannLamont) and with thanks to @StoatlyL for initiating this and providing the draft email text.

twitter.com/CforWomenUK/status/1359109798944534537?s=20

www.facebook.com/Conservatives-For-Women-104300591505734

Here's a good overview from a Newsnight journalist. Maybe our voices are having an impact...

twitter.com/nichola.../status/1359230131739500550...

Will do, but mine is SNP and I expect programmed not to listen to women who speak up on anything.

Emailed my MP and Liz Truss.

@Artesia did you get the template text? DM me if you need it and I'll send tomorrow morning.

Done, thanks.

Seems we might be having an effect. Keep at it persons!

Done.

Done

Bump

We are hearing there is quite a kerfuffle about this in Parliament. Less than 24 hours to go, but still time to email your MP:

www.conservativesforwomen.org/-sixwords---erasure-of-the-word-woman

Good to hear we are making waves ...

Please email or tweet today!

Done.

E-mailed MP !

Emailed MP and Liz Truss.

I would like to bet that the kerfuffle about Brighton NHS and chest feeding is going to add something to the debate

I just emailed my MP Dan Carden.

Emailed my MP and will email Liz Truss too!

Response from my AM, who is independent. Suspended from Plaid Cymru.
I understand the points you are making. However, as a legislator the key consideration when drafting law is that it is understandable and the duties it imposes in relation to implementation. From reading the Bill it seems plainly obvious to me as to how the Bill will be applied.

There are some interesting amendments which I am minded to support, which include extending the maternity period for Ministers from 6 months to 12 months as is the standard maternity period for parents.

I trust this reply gives you an indication of my thinking. Thank you once again for kindly taking the time to contact me.

Done! Grrrrrrrrrrrrr

Thing is Blue, he might think it's obvious how the Bill will be applied but we know that every action that erases sex-based language in law, society or culture, will be used to undermine women's actual rights.

The case in the USA where a woman claimed discrimination believing that she was made redundant because she was breastfeeding and that was inconvenient for her employers. The case failed because 'men can breastfeed'.

Right now on Parliament TV they are talking about maternity leave. The transwoman lawyer is arguing that maternity leave in a specific case where both parents had transitioned should go to the transwoman as the 'mother'.
www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/fb12feef-6d41-457a-a102-ea59813bb583

Naomi Sullivan talking sense on behalf of Legal Feminist though so that's cheering.

It's vitally important that the law is clear on these matters.

blue that response from your MP is a bit irritating. It’s plainly obvious to me how not using the word ‘woman’ means the application of the Bill becomes open to interpretation surely?

My thinking is that even if it doesn't make an impact wrt this particular legislation, the emails on every subject add up. MPs need to know that women are aware of what's happening, care about it, won't shut up about it and will vote on it.

If they start getting repeated emails from women on feminist issues, and keep getting them, at some point they have to listen. Or at least pretend to listen. It's their job. And they do use letters/emails to gauge public interest in issues, it's been said repeatedly that every communication matters and has impact.

Done. I’ll share any response from my female Labour MP.

I wasn’t impressed at all with the response. I am considering how to respond, as I’m I a happy with this.

'Something' is happening but as to what exactly that is we will all have to wait and find out tomorrow unless we get more detail tonight....

Fingers crossed. Well done everyone who emailed.