women in london

When Thursday, March 17, 2011 from 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM (GMT)
Where University of London Hughes Parry Hall, 19/26 Cartwright Gardens, WC1H 9EF
Hosted By Women Worldwide Advancing Freedom & Equality (WWAFE)

Women Worldwide Advancing Freedom & Equality (WWAFE) is a London-based women’s rights group seeking to eliminate religious fundamentalism and promote the advancement of women into decision-making positions. It usually holds three events a year on these topics, which are open to all. You can find more information at http://www.wafe-women.org or by visiting WWAFE’s Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=97780532898

Women Worldwide Advancing Freedom & Equality (WWAFE) have paired up with the Central London Humanist Group (CLHG) to present an evening of discussion on the role of secularism in creating a fair society for women.

Joining us for the discussion will be:
* Naomi Phillips, Head of Public Affairs at the British Humanist Association (BHA)
* Peter Vlachos, Council Member of the National Secular Society (NSS)
* Ahlam Akram, International human rights activist

The event will start at 6.30pm and take place in Chancellor’s Room at Hughes Parry Hall in Bloomsbury, London (further details below). It will finish around 8pm, followed by optional discussion in the nearby Lord John Russell pub.

The debate

The relationship between religion and the state has vast implications for all people in society. In this discussion we will look at the impact for women in particular:
* Does my right to dress as I wish trump the public’s right to have services delivered by someone dressed neutrally? Is the veil an expression of religion or culture? A crucifix?
* Are the choices I make about my body my own, or does the state have a right to interfere? Should I be able to start a family with anyone I chose? What is my role?
* Should there be exemptions in employment of religious and non-religious people for certain jobs? How does religion affect women’s progression in the workplace?
* Do parents have a right to educate their daughters in keeping with their belief system, be it religious or non-religious? Should all worldviews be taught in schools?
* On what values ought our legal system be based? How does this work in an increasingly multicultural society?

These questions are well known to secularists and feminists alike. But what is the best way to address them? What sort of secularism best serves women in a free and open society?

We are very fortunate to have voices from the two leading organisations campaigning for their vision of a secular state – the British Humanist Association and National Secular Society. The debate is also very timely as women are joining with men to protest against oppressive regimes across the world, we are pleased that Ahlam Akram will be able to provide an international perspective on the debate.

Audience members are invited and encouraged to come armed with questions for the panel – the shape the debate takes is up to you. If you’d prefer to submit a question in advance please email it to Alice Fuller.

WWAFE and CLHG hope you are able to join us for this important and ongoing debate.

About the speakers

Naomi Phillips heads up the British Humanist Association’s public affairs team, and is responsible for the BHA’s campaigns covering a wide range of issues including public services, equality law, ethical issues, religion and schools, and social cohesion. She is also a director of the European Humanist Federation.

Naomi joined the BHA in 2007, following a spell working in a policy team at the Ministry of Justice. She has gained awards from both the University of Manchester and the LSE for her academic achievements in the fields of Social Policy and Gender.

Peter Vlachos is a Council Member of the National Secular Society (NSS) and principal lecturer in business at the University of Greenwich. Having read politics at the University of Toronto, Peter took a particular interest in the area of psychoanalysis and feminism.

For 10 years prior to joining the University of Greenwich, Peter managed the historic Conway Hall, home of the South Place Ethical Society and a landmark of London’s intellectual, political and cultural life. He has also been an assessor for the London Arts Board (now Arts Council of England, London) and a visiting lecturer in the post-graduate department of cultural policy and management at City University, London.

Ahlam Akram is a peace and human rights campaigner of Palestinian origin based in London. She is an outspoken commentator on women’s rights in the Middle East and at home.

Ahlam has appeared regularly on television (including BBC, Sky and Channel 5) to discuss political and social issues affecting women in the Middle East and the role of Islam. She commented on Jack Straw’s controversial request to a Muslim woman to remove her veil and the French ban. She has written for Arabic newspapers Al – Quds, Al Hayatand Al Sharq al Awsat and leading Arabic online magazine Elaph.

She has established groups such as Joint Action for Israeli-Palestinian Peace and Writers for Peace, was co-chair of the Friends of the Israeli – Palestinian Bereaved Parents and works with Jews for Justice for Palestinians, Ministry for Peace, the Arab- Jewish Forum and Neve Shaloom. She is a member of Women without Borders and Women against Fundamentalism.

This venue is wheelchair accessible.

Cost and booking

To RSVP click on the ‘Register’ button on the eventbrite event page. An e-ticket will be emailed to you.

Places are free to reserve but we will be requesting a donation of £2 on the door to cover expenses.

Queries can be sent to Alice Fuller (not Gill/Elizabeth who has now retired) fuller.alice@gmail.com

This event can be found on our Facebook page too: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=107605222652999