● Lobbying
Being part of a massive worldwide organisation for women makes lobbying an important and effective part of our work. Current missions include:
● Women’s Rights in Afghanistan
We have written to President Karzai of Afghanistan urging him to reconsider the introduction of the proposed new ‘Shia Family Law’ and rescind it as soon as possible. We also wrote to the nine MPs representing club members, setting out SI’s position on the issue and urging them to raise our concerns as effectively as they can. Between them they have written on our behalf to the Foreign Secretary, to the Afghan Ambassador and to Lord Malloch-Brown, Minster for Asia at the Foreign& Commonwealth Office. We have received a reply from the Afghan Ambassador saying that he has forwarded our views to President Karsai. We have also received a detailed reply from Lord Malloch-Brown setting out the government’s position and stating that he shares our concerns and will continue to monitor the status and rights of Afghan women and girls.
● Disabled Parking
Winchester City Council has recently halved the time that blue badge holders can park in the High Street. We have written to the Hampshire Chronicle and our MP to protest and we are lobbying councillors to get this decision reversed.
● Stop Rape Now
Club members showed solidarity with UNIFEM’s GET CROSS! campaign by uploading a ‘crossed-arms’ photo to the Stop Rape Now website. So far it is only one of 8 photos from the UK.