Challenging ethnic minority women
(6th March 2002)

In the week of International Women's Day, Beverley Bernard, Deputy Chair of the CRE, today reminded black and ethnic minority women that the amended Race Relations Act gives them a new voice. They must not remain invisible. She went on to remind public bodies of their obligations to consult women of all races as part of their legal duty. Private sector employers are also wasting the talent of the majority of their women employees who remain at the lower and non-managerial levels for much of their working lives.

Speaking at the launch of Sticky Floors and Cement Ceilings, a report on women in non-managerial roles, she said: "It is a sad fact that women across the globe still face discrimination. In employment, women are disproportionately concentrated lower down the organisational ranks. International Women's Day empowers us all to challenge the inequalities that still exist and at the same time celebrate our achievements."

"Women in the UK have come a long way since winning the vote in 1928. However, sexism still exists in all areas of society. Ethnic minority women face the double-edged sword of both sexual and racial discrimination. For many of us the ceiling to be broken is constructed of cement, not glass."

Last year the CRE held a series of conferences called 'Dialogue: In conversation with black and ethnic minority women'. The conferences were an opportunity for women to air their views about racial equality in their local area. Issues discussed included employment rights, equal pay, the media's portrayal of ethnic minority women, education, and health.

At each conference, the overarching response was that ethnic minority women felt they weren't being listened to and consequently had no voice. The tradition of consulting 'community leaders', who are almost always men, has left black and Asian women feeling marginalised.

Under the amended Race Relations Act, public bodies, including hospitals, schools and local councils, have a duty to consult their service users. This new responsibility should be welcomed by women of all races throughout Britain. From the end of May, public bodies will have to strike up their own dialogues with women to ensure that they are eliminating unlawful discrimination, promoting equality of opportunity and good race relations.

The CRE works closely with the Equal Opportunities Commission to ensure that women of all races have equal opportunities and do not suffer discrimination.

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