A Female Perspective

By Pamela Winning.

I think I must have missed a vital point somewhere. I thought we had gender equality in the UK. I was shocked to the core when the Church of England’s General Synod voted against women bishops. It made me angry that the Synod could get away with it. Personally, I’m not so close to church or religion to feel affected apart from what I see to be blatant discrimination. Women can be ordained priests but not allowed to progress. Why not (for God’s sake)?  It’s like telling women teachers they can’t apply for a headship. At least, that’s how it looks to me and this must be the point I’m missing.  So the Church of England is a law unto itself, living in the dark ages yet concerned about dwindling congregation.  How sad to be seemingly lacking in any forward thinking.

My generation has grown up with equal opportunity. Thanks to Mrs Pankhurst, I cast my first vote at the age of eighteen. I passed my driving test in 1973 and I was already earning a wage in 1975 when the Equal Pay Act 1970 came into force.  Discrimination against women, however subtle, is still there in various forms and we’re still fighting it.

Women in so called ‘men’s’ jobs often have a hard time. Women drivers come under a       constant barrage. We handle it all because we have to and luckily, most of us can. Strangely, it seems acceptable to have topless models but breastfeeding in public can still raise disapproving eyebrows and requires specific legislation.

A quote from Unicef:  “The Equality Act 2010 gave explicit protection to breastfeeding mothers, requiring that they should not be discriminated against because they are breastfeeding.”

Sometime in the future, there will be women bishops; strong minded women who will fight for their right to be where they belong. It’s how it has to be.