Engender supports the STUC There is a better way campaign and will be at the demonstration in Edinburgh on 23rd October.  We're hoping that as many members and supporters as possible will join us as we march with the Engender banner to highlight the effect the proposed public sector cuts will have on women (see here ).   The campaign makes the case against the governments austerity programme as being too severe, too fast and ideological in nature.   We'll assemble at 11.00am at East Market Street, March off is at 11.30 and there is a rally at 12.30 at the Ross Bandstand in Princes St Gardens.           Find out more about the campaign at www.thereisabetterway.org 

                                                                                                                                      PLEASE CIRCULATE DEMO INFO TO FRIENDS - HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!!

E ngender's Inspiring Women group have been meeting regularly for almost 3 years, bringing together Engender members to discuss current issues and concerns for women in Scotland from a feminist perspective.  Now women in the Borders are coming together in the their own group to do the same.  The women in this group need not be members of Engender but it's hoped that their discussions and debates will link closely to Inspiring Women and strengthen the voice of women in Scotland.  If you live in the Borders and would like to be part of the new group, please contact Dawn Osborne at sbrcc@hotmail.co.uk for more details.    

You can find out about Engenders Inspiring Women group and read previous discussions on the members area of our website.  Please let me know if you have problems accessing the members area karen@engender.org.uk 

The new Equality Act came into force on October 1st bringing together over 100 pieces of legislation into one. The EHRC has produced a starter kit to explain exactly what the new act means and how  it can be used.  See the kit here   

Training on the new law is also being offered by OSCD.  This one day course on 15th November in  Glasgow will cover the changes and requirements of the act and is aimed at managers, trainers and HR professionals from the public, voluntary and private sectors.   Seefull details and  booking form.

This year Equal Pay Day will fall on November 2nd and the Fawcett-led campaign will include a petition to the govermnent - more details soon. The gender pay gap in the UK is currently 16.4%, which effectively means that women stop being paid on 2nd November while men will be paid till the end of the year.  This year Equal Pay Day is more poignant than ever as it comes after the new Equality Act becomes law but without the sections around equal pay which are being reviewed by the new government.  Fawcett has warned that not implementing these sections could endorse the pay gap and even see it widening.  Read more  

The Scottish Government have announced plans to introduce new legilslation to tackle the issue of forced marriage.  The Forced Marriage Bill proposes that those at risk themsleves or anyone concerned about another person could apply for a Forced Marriage Protection Order which could see the peron being taken to a place of safety - Read more .   The Government are calling for evidence on this bill and any submission should be made by 25th November - See call for evidence

Meanwhile, a new law has been fast-tracked through the Scottish Parliament which will close a legal loophole around domestic abuse cases.  Where breech of the peace had been used to prosecute these cases, many did not result in a conviction as there was no public element to the case as it had taken place in a domestic setting.  The creation of a new offence of engaging in threatening or abusive behaviour means that the public element has been removed.  Read more

L ord Advocate, Elish Angiolini announced this week that she will step down from the post at the Scottish elections next May.  She achieved many firsts for women in the legal profession in Scotland - she was the first female regional prosecutor fiscal, the first female solicitor general and the first female Lord Advocate.  Her legacy for women in Scotland will undoubtedly be her committment to improving the low rape conviction rate which saw her instigate a review of the investigation and prosecution of rape and sexual crimes and which will result in major changes to prosecution practices in these cases.