a)    By Councillor N. Airey

The Plan International UK report ‘The State of Girls' Rights in the UK’ indicates that girls' voices need to be heard early and broadly by those who can change the lived experience on a daily basis. Geography also plays a significant part in determining girls’ outcomes in the UK.

That this Council:

i)             Notes the Plan International report ‘The State of Girls’ rights in the UK’ and the increasing coverage of issues where women experience a different climate to men.

ii)            Notes its leadership role and establishes a new ‘Girls’ Policy Forum’, operated by our youth services, so that the voices of young women and girls play an active role in shaping life in the Royal Borough.

iii)           Asks the Leader to write to the schools and youth groups in the Borough to make them aware of the Forum and appoint representatives, and to commit to taking the views of the Forum into consideration when making decisions.

Councillor N. Airey introduced the motion. She highlighted that, two weeks previously, the UK had celebrated that on 6 February 1918, the Representation of People Act granted some women in the UK suffrage for the first time. The law said that women over the age of 30 who were registered property occupiers (or married to one) could now vote. That was 8.5 million women - or about 2 in 5. However, had Councillor N. Airey been alive 100 years ago, she would have been one of the 3 in 5 who still did not have the right to vote, never mind the opportunity to be elected. In 100 years, society had come a long way for which she was very grateful, but there was more to do.

The Plan International UK report ‘The State of Girls' Rights in the UK’ posed the question, ‘What is the current state of girls’ rights in the UK?’ and concludes that the answer was clear: not equal. By exploring the real experiences of girls in the UK, the report found that whilst the UK may be the fifth-richest country in the world, it was failing its girls, and failing to meet international standards set out in human rights frameworks and the United Nation’s new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The report also compared girls’ rights in the UK at local authority level, which showed that young women had different experiences depending on where they lived. Geography played a significant part, and whilst the borough was not in the worst 10 local authorities to be a girl, it was not in the top 10 either. It was known that access to excellent education, public health services, living in a safe environment free from the fear of harm, and more, were all essential factors for young people to thrive. The borough held to the vision that a person’s background, family income, ethnicity, postcode or any other circumstance should not be a limiting factor in their future outcomes or wellbeing.

The purpose of the report was that policy makers and decision makers could recognise the reality of the state of girls’ rights in the UK was not where it both could and should be, and then act. She was bringing the motion to Council so that the borough could make a difference on its own patch and aspire to be the very best local authority to be a girl in the UK. This was something Councillor Airey wanted to ensure happened from the grassroots and not just top-down. Therefore, the motion sought to redress the balance in RBWM, and to establish a Girls’ Policy Forum.

The aim for the Girls’ Policy Forum was that it fed into policy making, not after the event, so the council was proactively seeking to listen to girls where previously their voices had not been heard. She requested that the first meeting of the Girls’ Policy Forum should appoint a ‘Girls’ Rights Champion’ as the report recommended. She invited any girl aged 0-18, and those with LDD up to age 25, to be a part of the forum, and the motion requested that the Leader writes to all schools, colleges and youth groups to invite them to appoint a representative.

Councillor N. Airey stated that she looked forward to the day where an evidence-based report stated that both young men and women had equal and excellent input and outcomes, and a motion such as was proposed was not needed. However, in the interim, she was delighted to put forward the motion which sought to enable the council to do what it could to help promote the voices of young women, and for them to be able to enjoy all the rights that living in the borough and the country afforded, in equal measure to their male counterparts.

Councillor Saunders highlighted a number of statistics from the report including:

·         94% of sexual assaults in schools were committed by males; 66% of victims were female

·         89% of rape cases were committed to females; 23% were aged 15-19 and 16% aged 10-14.

·         1 in 3 UK teenagers had received a sexually explicit text message from other children

·         Half of 11-18 year olds could name a friend involved in sexting

·         30% could describe the adverse effects of sexting

·         Two thirds of sexting was directed at girls.  

Councillor Saunders commented that girls were increasingly at the sharp end of the ever more connected wold. They were victims of abuse were amplified by the pressures and stress of limited aspirations, limited voices and an inheritance and legacy of mostly innocent but outdated older prejudices. He supported the motion to ensure girls in the borough had the clear, unambiguous and confident voice they deserved.

Councillor Diment commented that the report set out that girls’ rights were compromised by poverty, gender inequality, poor education, ignorance and stereotypes. The UN Sustainable Development Goals focussed on girls rights to be free from violence, to have a voice, and choice and control in their lives alongside a quality education and the skills and support they needed. She supported the establishment of a Forum to ensure young girls got the best support possible as they transitioned to adulthood. She supported the creation of a Girls Right’s Champion to work with the existing groups to ensure all could reach their potential and no one was left behind.

Councillor Quick commented that this was a genuine opportunity to pass a motion and follow it up with work that could make an enormous difference. In doing do this would also help older female relatives who could see what was possible. There were pockets of deprivation in the borough and the aspirations of girls could be seriously low in these areas. The number of female councillors, MPs and business leaders was pitifully low, not through a lack of ability or intelligence. She suggested a report back to Council to demonstrate what had been achieved.

Councillor Dudley highlighted that the local MP and current Prime Minister had previously been Minister for Women and Equalities. His 21 year old daughter would fully support the motion. There were not enough women in the council chamber, in Parliament or in top professions.

Councillor Jones thanked Councillor N. Airey for bringing the motion and making her aware of the report. She offered her time and personal support if needed.

Councillor Brimacombe also offered his support. The modern world meant every girl faced problems that were difficult to shift. Girls needed help and support. He referred to the Corporate Parent role held by all councillors and suggested a report should come back to Council to show the body with highest authority in the council supported the actions.

Councillor N. Airey commented that she appreciated the offers of support. She hoped the first meeting of the Girls’ Forum could be held within 6 weeks. She would bring reports back to Council and to the relevant Overview and Scrutiny Panel to ensure the council was held to account.

It was proposed by Councillor N. Airey, seconded by Councillor Saunders, and:

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That this Council:

i)             Notes the Plan International report ‘The State of Girls’ rights in the UK’ and the increasing coverage of issues where women experience a different climate to men.

ii)            Notes its leadership role and establishes a new ‘Girls’ Policy Forum’, operated by our youth services, so that the voices of young women and girls play an active role in shaping life in the Royal Borough.

iii)            Asks the Leader to write to the schools and youth groups in the Borough to make them aware of the Forum and appoint representatives, and to commit to taking the views of the Forum into consideration when making decisions.