With the upcoming general election, we have devised a feminist manifesto which outlines the political changes women want to see.
At Werk, we may not be experts on the world of politics, but we know what we want for women across the country. The general election is inbound, we’ve created our own manifesto, a Womanifesto. We’d like to highlight the issues we feel strongly about and advocate for issues we’ve seen other women experience. The working world has come on leaps and bounds for women, but there is still so far to go. We want the figureheads of our country to understand the change we want to see., and follow this through in their policies.
The policies of our Womanifesto for the general election are as follows:
Stricter laws around workplace sexual harassment
A survey by the Trade Union Congress (TUC) found that nearly 58% of women have experienced sexual harassment, bullying, or verbal abuse at work. This figure rises to almost 62% for women aged 25 to 34. Most victims reported multiple incidents, with 43% experiencing at least three incidents of sexual harassment. However, less than a third of these women reported this to their employers, often due to fears of not being believed or concerns about damaging their careers or workplace relationships. We are in 2024 and not only are these statistics shocking but very disheartening for young women. We deserve to feel safe in our place of work. Sanctions and monitoring of sexual harassment needs to be stricter to bring this percentage down. Women worked so hard to be taken seriously in the workplace, they deserve to feel unthreatened whilst doing so.
More awareness and sensitivity towards perinatal mental health issues
In the UK, around 1 in 5 women will experience a mental health problem during pregnancy or in the first year after childbirth. It’s vital for employers to understand the severity and signs of perinatal mental illness. In severe cases, women may require allowances and accommodations, and they shouldn’t feel like a burden for asking. Perinatal mental health issues, which can include anxiety, depression, and psychosis, are very serious conditions. A lack of support is a significant risk factor for perinatal mental illness, and simply knowing that support is available can make a huge difference.
Discouraging denial and false narratives about the gender pay gap
In 2023, the gender pay gap was at 7.7%. This statistic is unacceptable for 2024. Furthermore, our media and workspaces abound with conversations that deny the existence of the pay gap. The issue primarily resides in higher roles such as managers, directors, and senior officials. Not only is the pay gap unjust, but it also discourages young women from being ambitious in the workplace. The realization that, even with a promotion, you’ll earn less than your male counterpart can be profoundly disheartening
Researching and implementing inclusivity of hidden disabilities
At Werk, we are passionate advocates for inclusivity. With Learning Disability Week approaching, it’s crucial to recognise and support those with hidden disabilities, whether they are learning disabilities or other types. In the workplace, hidden disabilities are often overlooked because they aren’t visible. We believe it’s essential to implement policies that ensure both fair employment opportunities and necessary accommodations for individuals with hidden disabilities. Let’s create a work environment where everyone can thrive.
Working towards a fair wage for nurses and healthcare workers
Statistically speaking, 226’000 nurses in the profession want to leave due to low pay. Our nurses are exhausted and underpaid. Nurses are paid 15% less than the average full-time worker. 88.6% of nurses and healthcare workers are women, our magazine team has mothers, sisters and friends that are nurses. We see the hard work they put in shift after shift and want to see change for them. The general election has come at a time when it is so needed.
