This new film released today covers both the reaction to the Judicial Review hearing last month and the birth of the People’s Tribunal. It also shows that under BackTo60’s leadership the two are interlinked.
The BackTo60 campaign was aimed to help 3.8 million women born in the 1950s get full restitution for their pensions. The People’s Tribunal has a hugely enlarged audience covering all women and girls in the United Kingdom and seeking to end the discrimination against all women.
Both are linked by injustice. The 50sWomen campaign wants restitution for the implementation of unfair laws – the 1995, 2007 and 2011 Pensions Act because of the adverse effect on one large group of women.
The People’s Tribunal want the UK to bring into domestic law the UN Convention for the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (Cedaw).
The UK is already signed up to the convention – Margaret Thatcher did so in 1986 – but unlike other countries has not put the convention into UK law. The UK has also never appointed a representative to sit on the UN committee in Geneva either.
Any such legislation would transform women’s rights to fight discrimination and have a massive effect on the legal system of this country.
It would also give women a massive confidence boost that they would know beyond doubt they are equal to men and if they are treated any worse than men have a powerful tool to pursue any injustice through law.
Some people might think that in modern Britain women already do have equal rights with men. But when you think that despite equal pay laws and an Equality Act under the Blair Labour government, many women still do not have equal pay now nor do they have equal progression in their chosen career.
Despite strides – including all women short lists – there is not equal representation in Parliament among MPs and women more than men suffer domestic abuse.
Professor Jackie Jones, who was an expert witness in the judicial review and is part of the People’s Tribunal team, explains all of this very well in another YouTube video which you can watch below.
Finally all this going to cost money and today the People’s Tribunal launch a big crowdfunding appeal to set up and run the tribunal. They need to raise £75,000 but it will be worth every penny. The link top the crowdfunder is here.
Westminster Confidential 
Just watched film very powerful onwards and upwards.
Thank you allx
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Just donated what I could.
I never questioned my value to society or the equality of my sex versus men until my pension was stolen by this and previous unscrupulous governments. They will do all in their power to continue to see us disadvantaged, for example paying lip service to The Centenury of the Suffragette movement and their success in finally winning the votes for women in 1918 (but for all women 1928)
I remember Guy Opperman DWP Minister being filmed feigning admiration for the work and the fight yet he has supported the theft of up to 6 yrs pension for the 1950s cohort of women. If they do not show the will to instil equality in policies and law then we must take this to the international stage to enshrine our rights forever .
We should not need to do this in the 21st century it says a lot about a heavily laden male dominated government .
Let us do this ladies!
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Spot on Angela. Should not have taken this long, our lives are ebbing away. I feel I will be chased to the grave by young civil servants who pay no respect to our age. Want to leave the country, then there’s another falicy covid!!
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Wow!
This is real advancement for female rights; it’s picking up steam as it progresses! No more hiding behind ineffective APPGs or buried in legislation that’s hidden from sight of those affected for years.
We will be monitoring and agitating for fairness for females.
Great report thank you David.
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Will this help us 50s’ women or will it just be younger generations by the time it gets through into law?
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This was posted on by FB account. It shows that Women were subservient and had to do the bidding of men. CEDAW is very important to girls and women. We are not going back to the bad old days.
This is an actual extract from a sex education textbook for girls, printed in the early 1960’s in the UK.
We have come so far!!
“When retiring to the bedroom, prepare yourself for bed as promptly as possible. Whilst feminine hygiene is of the utmost importance, your tired husband does not want to queue for the bathroom, as he would have to do for his train. But remember to look your best when going to bed. Try to achieve a look that is welcoming without being obvious. If you need to apply face-cream or hair-rollers wait until he is asleep as this can be shocking to a man last thing at night.
When it comes to the possibility of intimate relations with your husband it is important to remember your marriage vows and in particular your commitment to obey him. If he feels that he needs to sleep immediately then so be it. In all things be led by your husband’s wishes; do not pressure him in any way to stimulate intimacy. Should your husband suggest congress then agree humbly all the while being mindful that a man’s satisfaction is more important than a woman’s. When he reaches his moment of fulfilment a small moan from yourself is encouraging to him and quite sufficient to indicate any enjoyment that you may have had.
Should your husband suggest any of the more unusual practices be obedient and uncomplaining but register any reluctance by remaining silent. It is likely that your husband will then fall promptly asleep so adjust your clothing, freshen up and apply your night-time face and hair care products. You may then set the alarm so that you can arise shortly before him in the morning. This will enable you to have his morning cup of tea ready when he awakes.”
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Ain’t that the truth. Oh to have been born an entitled male. Like my Father, brothers and husband.
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Our poor mothers. Emancipation is an extremely slow process. Nearly as bad as the wait for our pensions
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With the current situation regarding the rise in unemployment wouldn’t you think that the government would let us 1950s women retire on the promise that the employer gives the job to someone who’s unemployed. But I suppose that’s just to much common sense!
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It’s all about the money! It’s much cheaper to pay unemployment benefit to a 24 year old at £60pw, or even £75 to those 25+ – up to state pension age, than it is to pay £175pw in state pension.
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Norma Roberts.
I think you comment on the 1950’s on twitter?
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Why have Jackie Jones and Hannah Manzur left the Tribunal? They are the two leading experts.
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Happy to donate to this very worthy cause and with such prominent names as Jackie Jones leading it, I’m sure it will do well. Let’s get a big push to help us 50s’ women plus our daughters and grandaughters.
Keep up the great work David.
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Time this was put right. Let’s hope the Cedaw Tribunal can get us justice.
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I will help push this through in any way I can.
It’s ridiculous here we are 2020 still fighting inequality for women.
I think the pandemic will make it even more necessary. Whose doing the majority of the childcare. We’re going to see lockdowns and testing retesting more time of school. This needs sharing.
Obviously not the only issue but it is the price women have always paid for bearing children.
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