Agenda item - Take action to tackle gender inequality: from period poverty to safety, health and education

Proposed by Councillor Moonan on behalf of the Labour Group.

23.1    The Notice of Motion as listed in the agenda was proposed by Councillor Moonan on behalf of the Labour Group and formally seconded by Councillor Appich.

23.2    Councillor Powell moved an amendment on behalf of the Green Group which was formally seconded by Councillor Llyod.

23.3    Councillor Meadows spoke on the motion advising that this was a matter for consideration of the Health & Wellbeing Board and stated that the Conservative Group would therefore abstain from voting on this motion.

23.4    Councillor Fishleigh spoke in support of the period poverty element of the motion.

23.5    Councillor Moonan noted the comments and confirmed that she accepted the amendment.

23.6    The Mayor then put the following motion as amended to the vote:

           Council notes:

·        The US Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v Wade

·        Systematic and institutional misogyny meaning women being failed in areas ranging from justice to health

·        Brighton & Hove has been ranked the worst city in the country for period poverty, with almost HALF of women and girls unable to afford basic sanitary protection

·        Charities are still supporting red boxes in schools and food banks with sanitary products and commends the work of projects like the young-people led Brighton Period Project who collect and distribute products in the city

·        Healthwatch survey data which shows over a THIRD of women in Brighton & Hove missed smear tests and critical cervical screenings last year although recognises the limitations of the data provided, meaning this may not be an accurate picture

·        That Government intervention is needed, but that there are concrete real actions we can take to tackle period poverty, female health inequalities, and to improve safety and education some of which is already taking place in a variety of settings

·        Services already provided by Brighton & Hove City Council, including support in schools such as the equality service provided on BEEM

·        The recent consultation on the creation of a Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy

           Therefore, resolves to:

1)       Request Tourism, Equalities, Communities and Culture Committee to ask officers to bring forward a report, in consultation with residents who self-define as a woman or another marginalised gender identity, and women’s organisations and other organisations such as youth services and public sector partners in the city, that outlines a new Gender Equality Strategy, aimed at tackling gender inequality in the city

2)     Further requests TECC to ask officers to include in the report information on work already ongoing, alongside any new proposals to work in partnership to tackle gender inequality to focus on four key areas;

·        Poverty (to consider distributing free sanitary products at community centres and youth clubs)

·        Health (including requesting that the NHS to consider a public health awareness campaign to improve cervical screening rates)

·        Safety (including improvements to support services for victims of VAWG, and a Night Time Safety Charter and a consultation to hear from women and girls on improving street safety)

·        Education (including rolling out further commissioned services such as anti-misogyny and gender equality training)

23.8    The Mayor confirmed that the motion had been carried. The Conservative Group abstained.