Pandemic

TO MARK International Women’s Day, we asked readers how the pandemic has impacted you – and the results make for sobering reading. It’s been a year like no other. While the pandemic has been tough for everyone, multiple studies suggest that women have been disproportionately impacted by it, both at home and at work. Globally, women are 1.8 times more likely to have lost their jobs in the last year, while the Women And Equalities Committee has warned that the government risks turning back the clock on gender equality unless it takes proactive steps to support women through the pandemic. So this International Women’s Day , a year since coronavirus swept the country , we spoke to almost 3,000 readers to find out how the toughest year on record has really impacted them. The results make clear that the pandemic has hit women’s mental and physical health hard. One In Ten readers lost their job during the pandemic Nearly half have felt more … [Read more...] about We asked four readers why it has been the toughest year ever for women

On the quiet streets of Windsor, usually bustling with tourists in normal times, there was a mixed response to the Harry and Meghan interview. The town is home to Windsor Castle, where the Queen and Prince Philip have been staying during the pandemic. Live updates after Sussexes' Oprah interview The historic residence is also where Harry and Meghan tied the knot in 2018 before stepping back from royal duties last year. Here are just some of the thoughts of locals on the bombshell interview. Advertisement 'It's a bit of a cheek' Derek Prime, who was born and bred in Windsor, has no sympathy for the couple after their Oprah Winfrey interview on Sunday, describing the fact they'd sat down for the chat at all as "a bit of a cheek". "The Queen has got enough on her plate without having to worry about other members of her family and those who married into it causing hassle. We can do without it," he said. 'Weird timing - but … [Read more...] about Meghan and Harry interview: How the people of Windsor reacted to the Sussexes’ chat with Oprah Winfrey

WALKING down the pavement, my heart pounding, I tried to keep my eyes on the floor. A group of men on the opposite side of the street were leering and shouting at me, making hand gestures, exchanging loud comments about my developing breasts. I was 14, and it was one of my earliest experiences of street harassment. It was the first time I’d felt really unsafe because I was a girl, but it wouldn’t be the last. I’d go on to be followed home, chased and spat at. A man would later masturbate near me on the bus while he stared intensely into my horrified eyes, grinning. A senior colleague at my first ever holiday temp job would send me inappropriate emails. Eventually, I’d be sexually assaulted a number of times in my twenties. I’d go on to start a campaign against sexism , only to be deluged with hundreds of rape and death threats. Men would compete to come up with the most disgusting ideas, sending me messages about using pieces of furniture to give me internal … [Read more...] about Everyday sexism is real: I’ve been spat at, followed and assaulted since I was 14 – things need to change

SWISS voters narrowly swung in favour of a nationwide ban on face coverings in a controversial referendum. Results released on Sunday evening showed 51.2 percent of voters supported the problematic proposal, that forbids women from wearing the burqa or niqab in public spaces. It was championed by the right-wing Swiss People's Party (SVP), that adopted campaign slogans including, "Stop extremism." The referendum result will be formally incorporated into the Swiss constitution due to Switzerland's system of direct democracy. Supporters of the myopic manifesto argue it will bring crime down, stopping destructive street protests and rowdy football hooligans who can no longer conceal their identity. The country follows France, Denmark, Belgium and Austria in instating a ban on face coverings. The Netherlands also enforced a similar law in 2019 , prohibiting face coverings on public transportation, in government buildings and at health and education institutions. … [Read more...] about Switzerland votes to ban face coverings including burka and niqab in controversial referendum

WHEN news of the latest lockdown broke, parents all over the nation were horrified at the thought of having to homeschool their kids again. The internet erupted with mums venting their fury as they geared up to juggle work with becoming a substitute teacher . But many women who don’t or can’t have children say they would have relished the chance to homeschool them, and were left feeling very frustrated. So do homeschooling mums need to suck it up and realise how lucky they are? Or do they have every right to complain ? Two writers give Anna Roberts their opposing views. NO says child-free Samantha Brick WRITER Samantha Brick, 49, originally from Birmingham, now lives in France with her carpenter husband Pascal, 59. She says: "When Boris made the latest doom-laden announcements, my first thought was, “Here we go again”. Not with lockdown, but with those mums groaning about having their precious little darlings at home with them. Instead of doing … [Read more...] about I’m sick of mums complaining about homeschooling – you chose to have kids & school wasn’t invented as a babysitter