Menu
Fri, 29 March 2024

Newsletter sign-up

Subscribe now
The House Live All
Communities
Mission possible: Delivering tomorrow’s homes today Partner content
Economy
Communities
Why the community-owned business model works for rural settlements Partner content
By Plunkett UK
Communities
Press releases

British women ‘to lose rights and support because of Brexit,’ equalities watchdog warns

Liz Bates

2 min read

British women could see their human rights rolled back under Brexit, the equalities watchdog has warned.  


According to the Equality and Human Rights Commission, crucial employment rights as well as funding for some women’s services could be lost when the UK leaves the EU.

In a new report, the organisation states that although the Government has said protections in the Equality Act will continue after Brexit, “this political commitment is not included” in the EU Withdrawal Bill.

The reports also notes that “employment rights and funding for women’s services are areas of particular concern”.

In light of the concerns, the EHRC urges ministers to ensure “there is no regression in the respect, protection and fulfillment of human rights”.

And it stresses that the loss of EU funding must not “undermine the UK’s equality and human rights infrastructure, including the already scarce funding available to specialist services, such as those that support women survivors of violence and domestic abuse”.

The report also highlights a wider failing in the UK to protect women from violence and abuse.

EHRC’s chief executive Rebecca Hilsenrath said: “It is estimated that only 15% of survivors of sexual violence report their experience to the police, and social movements such as #MeToo continue to shine a spotlight on areas where women are being failed.

“The priority must now be ensuring that women and girls of all ages can enjoy their basic right to feel safe in their everyday lives.”

PoliticsHome Newsletters

PoliticsHome provides the most comprehensive coverage of UK politics anywhere on the web, offering high quality original reporting and analysis: Subscribe

Read the most recent article written by Liz Bates - Jeremy Corbyn admits he would rather see a Brexit deal than a second referendum

Podcast
Engineering a Better World

The Engineering a Better World podcast series from The House magazine and the IET is back for series two! New host Jonn Elledge discusses with parliamentarians and industry experts how technology and engineering can provide policy solutions to our changing world.

NEW SERIES - Listen now

Partner content
Connecting Communities

Connecting Communities is an initiative aimed at empowering and strengthening community ties across the UK. Launched in partnership with The National Lottery, it aims to promote dialogue and support Parliamentarians working to nurture a more connected society.

Find out more