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Working with the Women's Equality Network in Somerset
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The Somerset Equality Officers Group (SEOG), provide the
lead for working together to coordinate a rolling programme of
Equalities and Diversity work covering the District and County
Councils in Somerset. SEOG commissioned Equality South West to
carry out qualitative research among Somerset Women. The work was
supported by the Women's Equality Network of Somerset.
Main issues coming out of the report:
- The rural nature of Somerset affects women's opportunities to
build relationships and interact with others; isolation, income and
transport are also key issues
- Some Women experience difficulties in getting their voices
heard across a range of issues and situations; how to raise
concerns and be heard in the public policy agenda were of great
concern
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- Some women in the study felt more at risk of becoming a victim
of crime or anti social behaviour in Somerset (fear of crime),
despite this not being reflected in local crime statistics
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- Women who had spend period caring for their children left them
feeling de-skilled
and unable to assert their value to employers when they re-entered
the labour market
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- Women whose sexual or gender identity is other than
heterosexual and/or the
gender of their birth can find that being true to that identity is
difficult at best and
can even be hazardous in some circumstances in Somerset
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- Somerset does not feel like an inclusive environment for people
who do not meet
the criteria for what is regarded as 'the norm'. People who have
moved into the
county have experienced 'culture shock' and an anxiety as to
whether they will fit in
and be accepted
for a summary of
the report and action plan |
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How to
search for information within a PDF file
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