The Women and Equalities Committee has launched an inquiry into the enforcement of the Equality Act 2010 – legislation which is designed to “provide a legal framework to protect the rights of individuals and advance equality of opportunity for all”.

Find a way back from domestic abuse, feel better about yourself and get more out of life. Seven group sessions at the Linskill Centre for women exploring themes such as resilience, inner strength, self-belief, self-care, managing feelings and realistic optimism. There’s also three one-to-one coaching sessions and an away day at the end of the course for women and their children. Free crèche. Booking essential. If you would like to know more or book a place on the course contact Jill at Barnardo’s 0191 212 0237

Who were the early women naturalists of North East England?  – An exhibition in the Hancock Library on the second floor of the Museum, open during library open hours until 9th September. Free entry, donations welcome. No booking required, drop in. There are also some evening talks about individual women including Mary Hancock, Kathleen Blackburn, Margaret Dickinson and Grace Hickling.

The Government, regulators and employers are failing in their responsibilities to tackle sexual harassment in the workplace, says the Women and Equalities Committee in a major report published following a wide-ranging six-month inquiry. The Committee finds that sexual harassment at work is widespread and commonplace but there has been a failure to tackle unlawful behaviours, despite the Government's obligations under international law.

Women who have fled war and persecution in their home countries are not protected from abuse and violence here in the UK, in the country they thought would make them safe, finds ground-breaking new research published by the Refugee Council and ASAP. Women seeking asylum: Safe from violence in the UK? looks at how the asylum support system responds to women facing domestic violence and other forms of gender-based violence – and finds it wanting. Source: Refugee Council.