No to gender segregation in universities: protest in London today!
Short notice, I’m afraid, but any readers who are in London this evening are urged to attend:
Above: segregated education in 1950’s America; surely we’ve moved on since then?
At Universities UK, Woburn House, 20 Tavistock Square, London WC 1H 9HQ, 5 pm (for 5.30 start) Tues 10 Dec
From One Law for All:
On the occasion of International Human Rights Day we oppose the legitimisation of forced gender segregation by Universities UK (UUK), the body representing the leadership of UK universities. UUK has issued guidance on external speakers saying that the segregation of the sexes at universities is not discriminatory as long as “both men and women are being treated equally, as they are both being segregated in the same way.” The document also alleges that universities would be legally obliged to enforce fully, not only partially, segregated seating orders on audiences at universities. Outrageously, the document has been supported by the National Union of Students.
We will meet at 5pm to start the protest at 5.30pm
Speakers will include: Pragna Patel (Southall Black Sisters), Maryam Namazie (Fitnah and One Law for All), Kate Smurthwaite (comedian), Anne-Marie Waters (National Secular Society), Julie Bindel (Justice for Women), Charlie Klenjian (Lawyers’ Secular Society), Helen Palmer (Central London Humanist Group), Sam Westrop (Stand for Peace), Sean Oakley (Reading University Atheist, Humanist and Secularist Society), Georgi Laag (London Atheist Activists Group), Ahlam Akram (Palestinian women’s rights campaigner), James Bloodworth (Left Foot Forward), Erin Saltman (Quilliam Foundation).
A petition against UUK has received more than 7.500 signatures already, and the issue has been extensively covered by the Times, Guardian, Spectator, Indepenent and Telegraph. You can find a collection of the articles below. Sign the petition here: https://secure.avaaz.org/en/petition/Universities_UK_Rescind_endorsement_of_sex_segregation_at_UK_Universities/ A detailed analysis of the document can be found here: http://hurryupharry.org/2013/11/23/you-are-a-woman-you-cant-sit-here-uk-universities-condones-gender-segregation/ Follow us on twitter: @maryamnamazie @lsesusash #no2sexapartheid See More
Shiraz Socialist 
No to gender segregation: protest in London today! | OzHouse said,
December 10, 2013 at 11:11 am
[…] Dec 10 2013 by admin […]
Matthew Thompson said,
December 10, 2013 at 3:19 pm
I’m against gender segregration in all circumstances and think publicly-funded institutions such as schools and universities should not be allowed either to impose it or let those whose use their premises do so. Having said that, I’m not sure if a law to that effect would be that helpful, unless either you include religious exemptions or have the police turning up at Jewish and Muslim schools.
Protests Against Religious Gender Segregation: the Issues at Stake. | Tendance Coatesy said,
December 11, 2013 at 12:51 pm
[…] More background from Shiraz Socialist. […]