ES Views: Women’s struggle against misogyny is still going on

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Making a point: A woman at a rally in Kiev, Ukraine, for gender equality on International Women's Day
REUTERS
8 March 2017
WEST END FINAL

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On International Women’s Day I must commend the Mayor for his positive attitude towards gender equality and LGBT rights.

In a world increasingly crowded by noxious leaders, I am proud and relieved to live in a city led by someone who embraces diversity and respect. We are far from equal and safe, however, and I would like to raise awareness of an issue most women can testify to: verbal harassment.

Last summer, the city of Nottingham decided to class misogyny as a hate crime. When will London follow suit? I have called construction companies endless times to complain about how some of their workers leer not just at me but at every woman who walks by. It is beyond pathetic but, what’s worse, it infringes on our feeling of safety and is a constant reminder of what many people still think of women.

Today is International Women’s Day. I will not look the other way and I can’t shut my ears even if I wanted to. The same perverse attitude that makes someone blow kissing noises at me as I walk by minding my own business — that women are mindless sexual objects and they should never forget it — leads to subjugation, groping, domestic violence and rape.

New policies alone will not change attitudes. However, to create a culture of respect a strong stance from local government is a step in the right direction.

I note that Nottingham’s approach resulted in more than 20 investigations in just two months. What are the Mayor’s plans to make London’s beautiful streets safe to stroll for everyone?
Nina Cromeyer Dieke

We have come a long way since International Women’s Day was first recognised more than a century ago. Many of the earliest battles — including women’s right to vote, obtain degrees and keep their jobs after they married — are now a given. However, stark inequalities remain. In England and Wales alone two women are killed every week by a current or former partner.

Research shows that half of 16- to 18-year-olds wouldn’t know where to get support if they were affected by domestic abuse. The NSPCC also found that a third of girls in relationships aged 13 to 17 have experienced sexual violence from their boyfriends.

It is right that the Government has made relationship and sex education in school compulsory but it is a disgrace that it has taken so long.

In a world where young men and women are bombarded with unrealistic representations of sex and relationships it’s vital they can access comprehensive information which covers issues such as consent and emotional coercion, not just contraception.
Jennette Arnold, Labour London Assembly member


Raise income tax to fund the NHS

The precarious state of the NHS will come as no surprise to consultants such as me [“NHS ‘stands on a burning platform’, warns watchdog”, March 2].

The NHS is no longer against private practice within its confines and many trusts actively encourage consultants to use their facilities to bolster their diminishing financial reserves. However, this can not compensate for the NHS’s year-on-year deficit.

There is no “silver bullet” to alleviate the ills of the NHS. But if the Government considered raising income tax, it could fund more staff, equipment and therapy but also our failing social services system.
Dr S K Goolamali


Anti-EU rhetoric is becoming normal

Perhaps your correspondent Robert Readman could offer an example of the “belligerent anti-British rhetoric” he attributes to “Eurocrats” [Letters, March 6].

Like many Britons I have looked on with embarrassment at the incoherent rhetoric of our Government since the referendum result. Attitudes previously confined to sections of the Right-wing press seem to have become official foreign policy.

In the face of such infantile posturing, the reaction of our continental neighbours has remained consistent, restrained and statesmanlike throughout.
Anthony Menzies


Prize shows how vital migrants are

It is great news that three eminent scientists — two based in London and one in Cambridge — have won the equivalent of a Nobel Prize for their ground-breaking research into brain function [“London scientists win share of €1 million top global prize for brain research”, March 6].

This victory is a wonderful example of the benefits of multinational research — one scientist is British, one German and the other Irish. I wonder how many such prizes will be won in the future when the door is firmly shut on migrants who supposedly contribute so little?
Elke Bachler

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The wrong steer on fuel conversion

I agree with most of Finnian Fitzpatrick’s views on fuel conversion [Letters, March 6]. However, I do not think there is technology available to convert diesel vehicles to liquid petroleum gas (LPG). But while it may be too early for that, petrol cars can be converted to LPG, which is what I did with my Land-Rover.

I believed I was doing the right thing, only to discover that Mayor Sadiq Khan has placed petrol engines produced before 2006 in the same bracket as diesels.

Well-intentioned Londoners who are trying to help reduce pollution need incentives, not punishment. The Mayor needs to have a rethink.
Robert Poole


Instead of nibbling around the edges of London’s pollution issues, wouldn’t it be a good idea to start with an immediate ban on the sale of vehicles using diesel fuel? This must be enforced in order to arrest the increase in premature deaths which have happened as a result of the city’s air quality.
Howard Rafael

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London Stadium is much safer now

The last time West Ham played Chelsea at the London Stadium the main topic of discussion afterwards was the violence in the stands rather than what happened on the pitch.Rival fans were able to fight each other due to the alarming lack of security at the ground.

There was no repeat of the trouble on Monday evening and credit must go to both clubs, the police and stewards. Aside from a few idiots — such as the one who got onto the pitch and almost confronted Eden Hazard as he celebrated scoring Chelsea’s first goal — the game was watched by real fans wanting to see a thrilling game. And on Monday West Ham and Chelsea served up a treat.

There is a long way to go before the London Stadium can be called truly safe but keeping a fiery London derby under control was an encouraging first step.
Phil Davies

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