Bryony Shanks, the Union’s current Women’s Officer, has issued a cry for support ahead of next week’s referendum which could see her position abolished for next year’s term.
She has gathered 1100 student signatures who are in support of keeping her position on the Student Council, after the student officers voted to replace it with an Equality Officer.
Sheffield students will have to vote from Tuesday to Thursday to keep the position of Women’s Officer on the Council.
“Services such as Bite Back, the Women’s Safety Bus and safety alarms for women will be in decline if the position is abolished”, said Bryony.
“Also women will find it harder to confide in a man about matters of sexual harassment or eating disorders.
“There is some comfort in talking to a woman because there is common ground there. To abolish the woman’s officer is to turn our backs on these vital groups”, she added.
At the beginning of the year Bite Back, a support group for women with eating disorders, was non -existent.
After Bryony and her team put their time and effort into the cause it is one of the most vital groups in the University as it offers much support for those who need it.
“You can guarantee that a women’s officer will be passionate about her job. But with an equality officer different groups will have to fight for attention”, said Bryony, who wants students to vote for option two in the referenda.
“By voting for option two, next years council will have a Women’s Officer, Sports, Activities, Welfare and Accommodation Officer, as well as a Finance, Ethical and Environmental one”.
Sheffield Hallam abolished the position a few years ago and the university has regretted it ever since.
John Anderson, former Sheffield Hallam Equality Officer, said: “We used to have a thriving women’s group until our sabbatical team took the ill fated decision to scrap our women’s officers and replace them with an Equality position.
“The result was disastrous for women’s representation. In just a year, without direct support and representation, the women’s group and all the great work it had done disappeared.”
“I am so grateful for everyone who is supporting my position. It is hard to know how people will vote but I am excited for the outcome”, added Bryony.
By Sophie Donnelly
March 7th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
Yes, but women would still be represented with the equality officer. What about students who are gay, disabled or from an ethnic minority? They have absolutely NO representation at all. Better for several groups to fight for attention than for some to have none whatsoever!
March 14th, 2008 at 7:23 pm
Two points to raise:
1) all of the services mentioned here would continue without the women’s officer, just the committee and/or the equality officer would do the trick
2) Many of those 1100 signatures were gained under false pretences of what the Women’s officer can and does actually do so sorry all who signed it, you’ve been conned.