London Local Body Backs Women (Press, 16 March 1983)

The Greater London Council (GLC) has officially launched a Women’s Committee aimed at advocating for the interests of women in London. Established in early 1982 with an initial budget exceeding £500,000 and a dedicated staff of eight, this committee operates out of County Hall. The committee's creation has garnered attention, particularly following the visit of Sir Hamish and Lady Hay, Mayor and Mayoress of Christchurch, who expressed their fascination with the initiative as part of their insights into women’s issues. Lady Hay, chair of the Canterbury Regional Women’s Decade Committee, emphasises the necessity for government at all levels to embrace the unique contributions women can make. The committee is predominantly supported by the Labour Party, which aims to prioritise grassroots involvement in decision-making, echoing concerns raised during the International Women’s Decade that took place in Copenhagen in 1980 regarding women's progress. Valerie Wise, a Labour councillor, chairs the 19-member committee, which includes both male and female councillors, ensuring representation from various perspectives, including those of Conservative women. Additionally, eight co-opted members represent minority groups such as ethnic minorities, disabled women, and lesbian women. The committee’s structure allows for regular meetings and has set up various working sub-groups focused on critical areas like employment, childcare, planning, and education. The committee is working on a “Programme for Women in London” which seeks to address the distinct needs of women across multiple sectors, ensuring that any programmes developed do not reinforce existing male privilege. Wise argues the urgent need for targeted programmes as each sector must incorporate measures to support women explicitly. Among its 1982/83 goals, the Women’s Committee aims to promote equal opportunities within the council's services and among employers throughout Greater London. They plan to require firms receiving financial assistance from the council to provide full equality of opportunity for women. A major conference on equal opportunities is in the works for later in the year, alongside a previous conference addressing 'Women, Immigration and Nationality.' The committee has allocated funding to various women’s organisations, including £75,000 for four Women’s Centres, and has initiated projects like a pilot scheme for safe transport for women in Lewisham, as well as a survey on reproductive health services. They also support events related to International Women’s Day and have been in dialogue with the English Collective of Prostitutes regarding police harassment issues. The committee's broader concerns encompass themes of peace, power, and racism, aligning with its pledge to confront these issues within British politics. In a significant activist move, the committee's Peace sub-committee has arranged transportation for women to participate in anti-nuclear protests at Greenham Common. Wise highlights that the distribution of power and economic resources is a root cause of conflict, emphasizing that a just peace must integrate women's needs and voices to be genuinely effective.

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