#SixWords - Erasure of the word 'woman'

#SixWords - Erasure of the word 'woman'

#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. Our example letter is  below.


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).


 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.

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Subject: Urgent. Ministerial Maternity Bill 11th February


Dear MP


Will you stand for women being erased from a bill about maternity leave? This bill is being presented on Thursday 11th February, so my request is urgent.

I would be grateful if you would consider putting forward an amendment to this bill, so that women can be clearly defined by their sex - as is the case for a woman who is pregnant or a mother.

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


I am pleased to see the House is giving female ministers some of the rights that other pregnant women have - but it is unacceptable that this draft bill undermines our language and removes sex specific language for mothers. It refers to the mother as  a “person [who] is pregnant” and a “person [who] has given birth to a child”. The bill should be drafted in line with the Equality Act 2010, which talks about pregnancy and maternity using the ordinary language of “woman”, “she” and “her”.


For a full background, please read this article.


Yours sincerely,


[Name and address - you must add your address so your MP knows you live in her/his constituency]


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