News

How is the Coronavirus outbreak affecting women? – Fawcett survey

If you are interested in sharing your experiences with us, it will help us to better understand how the Coronavirus is affecting the lives of women across the country – and campaign to make sure that women’s voices are heard and their needs met during this crisis.

Abortion Rights’ Reaction to the Department of Health’s Unexplained U-Turn on Abortion Access During the Current Public Health Crisis

Abortion Rights sent out a Press Release expressing its satisfaction with measures announced that would facilitate at-home early medical abortions during the coronavirus crisis, by allowing women to take both abortion pills at home without requiring them to attend a clinic first.

Coronavirus and child contact arrangements – Rights of Women

At Rights of Women we have been receiving calls seeking advice about contact arrangements in the current pandemic.

Many families will have to make changes to the arrangements that were in place but how significant those changes are will depend on the circumstances of the individual family.

We have set out below what we believe to be the most sensible approach in the current climate. On this page we cover:

CAF Coronavirus Emergency Fund

This Fund is to help smaller charitable organisations in the UK affected by the impact of Covid-19. Grants of up to £10,000 are available.

https://www.cafonline.org/charities/grantmaking/caf-coronavirus-emergency-fund?fbclid=IwAR22e1VUjpTLksNCvU4Ms-ItDJtiANfj6Wh0rL0zgZzqf_-6bOKVt6nTD-I

Womens Resource Centre campaigns - sign up

At Women's Resource Centre, we are taking action to save our sector and save women's lives. Women's specialist charities reach women that other services simply cannot and these organisations are best placed to protect them and meet their needs.

But they are heading towards crisis point. The Coronavirus outbreak is having huge impact on service delivery whilst the demand for these services is set to triple.

There are 3 things you can do to help us amplify the voices of women to ensure our rights and our lives are not forgotten.

Can you help a young woman through this crisis?

Without your urgent help, young women will face financial crisis over the next few weeks - despite the relief being offered by the government.

Young women in our communities are more likely to be unemployed or on zero hours contracts. Too many already struggle to make ends meet at the end of each month. For them, this crisis will mean real hardship.

Donate to the Emergency Fund today here

Employers do not have to report gender pay gaps

Due to the Coronavirus outbreak, the Government Equalities Office (GEO) and the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) have as of 24th March, taken the decision to suspend enforcement of the gender pay gap deadlines for this reporting year (2019/20).

The decision means there will be no expectation on employers to report their data.

Coronavirus update from Smallwood Trust

Grants for individuals – how to apply
We want to reassure everyone that we are very much open and fully focused on supporting as many women as possible during the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

Message and Survey request from Rosa Foundation

We know that existing inequalities mean that coronavirus will hit women the hardest, especially women who are already vulnerable. We know this means women’s organisations in the UK are under enormous pressure right now to support people in need, while also dealing with their own internal challenges.

The chancellor has announced plans to abolish the 5% VAT that women currently pay on sanitary products.

Tampon Tax money hasn't always gone to specialist women's organisations, as was promised by the government, and Gemma Abbott of Free Periods has called on leaders to "reaffirm their commitment to supporting [these] charities" even after the tax has ended.

North East Women's Network