UMSU Women's Campaign

The Women's Campaign

The Women's Campaign is a liberation campaign striving to rid the world of sexism and gain equality of the genders. The women's campaign focuses on issues such as violence against women, the pay gap and childcare provisions for students. The women's campaign uses direct action (such as protests and marches) as well as representation and policy making in order to change the world to make it a better place for women.

The Riveters

The UMSU women's rights collective, The Riveters, are a campaigning group who are dedicated to fighting for the equality of the genders. The Riveters are an inclusive group who engage with feminism through a variety of meetings, speakers and events.

The Riveters use consensus decision making (click here to find out more) in order to involve everyone in decisions made to best represent women.

Women still face massive inequalities around the world today.

• Women working full-time are paid of average 17% less than men (or 36% less if they work part-time)
• Two women a week are killed by a partner or former partner
• 167 women are raped everyday in the UK.
• 20,000 girls under the age of 15 are at risk of female genital mutilation in England and Wales

But the Riveters are making a difference and change is happening. Last year the Riveters achieved a massive Reclaim the Night March over 200 people, suffragette 'get the vote out' days for the European elections, and an award winning play challenging the audience to reconsider women's role in war and society, to name but a few.

This year we will campaign on:
Violence against women. Every week 2 women are killed by a partner or former partner. In conflict zones, women are used as weapons of war. 97% of rapes happen to women. Women experience violence because they are women and it needs to stop. We will hold a Reclaim the Night March with NUS Women's Campaign, hold self-defence classes and campaign to increase security on campus.

Pro-Choice. From defending and extending abortion rights to providing better childcare provisions, information on all options for women and ensuring women are enabled to make their own choices.

Equal Pay. With a pay gap of 18%, a glass ceiling and the possibility for the cap to be lifted on tuition fees we need to campaign hard on this issue. We will campaign for pay audits of all companies, to stop management level sexism and to open all jobs up to women, providing them with maternity leave without affecting their income.

We meet every Thursday at 5.30pm in the Advice Centre of the Students' Union. Come along and change the world...with tea and cake!

Women's Officer

Hello, I'm Hazel Kent and I'm the Women's Officer in the Students' Union. If you have any questions or queries, if you want to get involved in the women's campaign or the Riveters, if you need any help, advice, information or representation, if you want to know more about feminism and women's rights or if you just fancy a chat and a cup of tea, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Email: womens@umsu.manchester.ac.uk
Tel : 0161 275 2939 / 07787422509
Visit : Women's Office in the Advice Centre, first floor, Students' Union

To find out more about the role of women's officer click here

Contact the Women's Officer: womens@umsu.manchester.ac.uk or 0161 275 2939