Fabian Women

The Fabian Society kicked off this year discussing at the New Year Conference how Labour should respond to the economic crisis, presenting alternatives to the current government agenda.

The Fabian Women’s Network held an event ‘Women, the crisis and politics’ to explore whether, and how, an economic alternative can be rooted in greater women’s participation in the workforce, in boardrooms and in politics at all levels.

Seema Malhotra MP and Director of FWN, Polly Toynbee (Guardian), Vera Baird (barrister and former MP) and David Coats (Smith Institute) discussed with the public what Labour’s priorities should be. The event was chaired by Ivana Bartoletti, Editor of Fabiana. [http://www.fabianwomen.co.uk/2012/01/fabiana-magazine-puts-feminism-at-heart-of-welfare-state-reform-and-economic-growth]

Statistics show how women are bearing the brunt of the recession and of the government’s austerity agenda, being pushed out of the workforce and their income being driven down. FWN believes a truly reformist agenda needs to have women at its very heart.

The discussion was lively and attendees all shared the belief that it is time for Labour to establish a new deal with women and, by doing so, to gain their trust. The issues that were raised by the panel included childcare, representation in Parliament and gender stereotypes, following the successful Hamleys campaign
[http://www.thefword.org.uk/blog/2011/12/hamleys_campaign]
led by Laura Nelson of the FWN, which resulted in the toyshop ditching its gender-specific signs.

The event also celebrated the launch of the second issue of Fabiana magazine.
[http://www.fabianwomen.co.uk/2012/01/fabiana-magazine-puts-feminism-at-heart-of-welfare-state-reform-and-economic-growth]

FWN will continue discussing how to create gender justice in tough times.

Winter 2012 issue discusses how a feminist framework can effectively reform the UK’s welfare state and equip it to drive economic growth.

If Labour constructs a new vision of the state with women at its heart, it will be a better designed State, able to develop services rooted in a new partnership between the centre and the communities, and able to unlock all the untapped economic potential of the UK.

Readers remark on the range of Fabiana’s writers. In this issue politicians, top academics, think tanks, and trade unionists suggest routes forward for the welfare state and drive home the message that the UK economy cannot afford to waste its human resources by continuing to limit the achievements of women and girls.

Hilary Cottam makes the case for a more relational welfare and Torbjörn Hållö presents a Swedish perspective.

We are delighted that Ed Miliband uses Fabiana to deliver his vital message on why women are so central, why Labour wants to walk side by side with feminism, and how the party’s proud history of fighting for women is driving its ambitions for this country and its women now.

Also in this issue, Deborah Mattinson explains why we need Fabiana, and why we need women driving a strong, progressive agenda. We also look at women in the company boardroom: Shadow Minister for Innovation Chi Onwurah explains what the UK has to gain by boosting women’s presence at all levels, especially in science and innovation; and Helen Walls makes a strong business case for equal participation of women in boardrooms.

Fabiana is at the forefront of the debate on how we build a new progressive, reformist and winning alliance in this country, knowing it can only be achieved with a powerful women’s presence and the clarity of a feminist lens. So I really hope that all of you readers, women and men, will put some of your personal energy into Fabiana, add your voice and pass Fabiana on to new readers.

Ivana Bartoletti
Editor

You can download the full edition by clicking the image below (PDF) or you can view a Flash based flipbook version here.

We are delighted to welcome you to Fabiana, the new FWN magazine, an arena where the power and potential of women can be heard and showcased, and as a platform for policy analysis, comment and debate.

The first issue is filled with a combination of feminist voices – from Labour Party veterans to those they have inspired who are just setting out in their careers. They all share the conviction that progress for women is inextricably linked to progress for all in society, but come at it from diverse backgrounds and angles. Launched one hundred years after the first International Women’s Day, Fabiana has a UK focus but a very international outlook, looking at the contributions of women from London to Libya and Liberia.

Harriet Harman reveals some of what she will tell her own party at the Labour Party Conference. Authors including Sadiq Khan, Giovanni Allegretti and Rushanara Ali write about a wide range of urgent issues, from shrinking legal aid to participatory budgets and women in peace processes.

In an exclusive interview, Maurice Glasman goes several uncomfortable rounds with the Editor in defence of his often controversial vision of Blue Labour.

We would be very grateful if you could give Fabiana a warm welcome. The magazine is open to all who want to debate politics and innovate policies, whatever walk of life in politics, business, the public sector or civil society.

You can download the full edition by clicking the image below (PDF) or you can view a Flash based flipbook version here.