Welcome to the weekly equality and diversity news. Highlights from this week’s news include: women driving in Saudi Arabia, ruling against letting a brain damaged woman die, survey on reasonable accommodation of cultural diversity in the workplace, rethinking Widening Participation and a new guide to LGB rights.
A Saudi woman driving a car was arrested, sentenced to 10 lashes and subsequently spared the punishment – all in one week. And this follows news that Saudi women will now be allowed to vote in and stand for municipal elections. On 17 June, a handful of Saudi women had organised the ‘Women2Drive campaign’; one of these was Shaima Jastaina who was handed down 10 lashes for defying the ban on women driving cars in the country. The punishment was overturned by Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah who is also said to be the force behind granting women the right to vote.
A High Court judge has ruled against letting a brain-damaged woman die. The woman is in a ‘minimally conscious state’ and her family members were arguing for withdrawal of artificial feeding and hydration. The health authority responsible for her care refused this saying that she was on the edge of awareness. Justice Baker said: “The factor which does carry substantial weight, in my judgement, is the preservation of life. Although not an absolute rule, the law regards the preservation of life as a fundamental principle.” The judgement has important implications for the debate around legalising assisted suicide.
We were also alerted to a survey on reasonable accommodation of cultural diversity in the workplace. This survey, being conducted by the European Network Against Racism (ENAR), wants to evaluate how reasonable accommodation can help combine the needs of employers with the improvement of working conditions for migrants, ethnic and religious minorities. To participate in the survey, please follow the link above.
Meanwhile, Wes Streeting, writing for the Guardian, argues that widening participation programmes need a shift in their approach to reaching out to talented students from all backgrounds. This is especially important in the context of rising tuition fees and student finance policy changes. Wes suggests intervention in early school years, providing better access to information for students when applying to universities, reform in the admissions system and provision of a rounded and inclusive student experience. Let us know what you think.
Last, the Lesbian and Gay Foundation has published an updated guide to legal and civil rights of lesbian, gay and bisexual people. The guide, entitled ‘I Exist’, outlines updates in information on the Equality Act 2010, education and safer schools, homophobic hate crime, LGB refugee and asylum and discusses the importance of Sexual Orientation Monitoring. You can download a copy of the guide from the Lesbian and Gay Foundation’s website.
And so, we move into October, welcoming celebration of the Black History Month.
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Have something to add to the weekly news? Email a.islam1@lse.ac.uk
