Live webchat with Stella Creasy MP Wednesday 13 Feb 11.30-12.30

whenim64

Stella, thanks for promoting One Billion Rising. Will you be able to raise this momentous campaign in the Hose of Commons, and do you know how far the media are going to publicise the events on 14 February?

Yes we have a OBRUK debate in parliament tomorrow on the provision of statutory sex and relationship education in schools. When we have been going around the country talking about violence against women and the things we could do to tackle it, ensuring both boys and girls are given support to develop a zero tolerance approach to violence within relationships has been something lots of people have mentioned so I'm delighted we have been able to secure this opportunity to take this idea forward.

DavidH22

Following the very sad case of Frances Andrade what ideas has the Labour Party got to try to lessen the trauma of rape victims giving evidence in court? Could they give their evidence via a video link and still be cross examined for instance?

We have to transform the way in which we work with victims of sexual and domestic violence across the board- you may have seen yvette cooper calling for all police to ensure victims are given access to counselling in the light of this tragic case? we are also looking at what lessons can be learned from the way in which youth justice is managed -through national standards and local delivery of services- so that we can better support victims of violence as well as bring perpetrators to justice. There's a consultation document on the obruk website so please do take a look? www.obruk.wordpress.com

Marthamuffin

Hi Stella - I wondered how you got involved in this important campaign?

I heard Rosario Dawson talking about the campaign at an event on last year's international womens day and then had the opportunity to meet Eve Ensler to talk about it and what was happening elsewhere in the world. Eve is an amazing whirlwind of energy and creativity- its impossible not to feel inspired by her commitment to this issue! Also in the Labour movement we've been clear that pushing for equality isn't something to be done after the economic crisis is resolved, but one of the ways it will be tackled- when 50% of the population isn't being given the same opportunities to succeed we miss out on their potential to contribute! since then we've been going round the country working with campaigners ahead of tomorrow ...which I hope is just the start of something even bigger.....

getmehrt

The Woman's Hour Power List this week has been criticised for being rather predictable and class-based - for not including, for example, the women who came forward over Jimmy Savile. Do you think these lists do women any favours?

We live in what I call the 80/20 society- where we have 20% representation of women in public life, be it in parliament or the media or in business etc. That means that we have to do more to show what we're missing by not being a 50/50 world. Anything which helps identify the talent we have is a good thing and the challenge is how do we keep expanding it to make sure we are using the opportunities to highlight the range of skills that exist across society. Class, ethnicity, disability all come into understanding what barriers people face- the point is that it does no one any favours to live in an equal world, male or female, as we miss out on what they can do!

firenze

Hi Stella, very pleased to see you on Gransnet. You're on twitter a lot. I wanted to ask whether twitter is now necessary for politicians - and do you do all your own tweets?

It always amazes me when people ask if I do my own tweets- as if I would let anyone else touch my gadgets! if its shiny and makes bleepy noises its mine- and joey doesn't share! yes this includes this typing now....

sofasogood

Following on from crosspatch's comment, it seems to me that One Billion Rising is a fantastic movement but one without a very clear call to action. Do you think there's a need for something concrete that ordinary people can do?

One of the things we have been clear about in OBRUK is its not just about what 650 people sitting in Westminster can do. We need legislative change but we also need a social, economic and culture shock too if we are to tackle inequality. For me its not an either or so we've been running workshops across the country to involve people in the campaign because empowering all those who share our concerns is a crucial way to achieve them. That's why we have a vote in parliament and 160 events across the country for people to take part and be part of this movement- you can find details for them here www.onebillionrising.org and hope you can be part of the flashmob outside parliament too at 11am?!

crosspatch

Have we actually got to dance tomorrow? I am fully in support of this cause but dancing is not my thing. How else can I make my feelings known?

just being part of it makes a difference- dance is about being free, about being able to go where you want and wear what you want without feeling you are at risk, but its not the only way to join in (and I'll be offering to press the buttons on the stereo as I know the sight of MPs shuffling is probably a big turn off!) there's lots of performances too as well as talks and exhibitions- the main thing is for us on one day and say this has to be a priority so we are all standing up together....*moves awkwardly at the side of the dancefloor...*

hairyberry

By the time you get to my age, the chances are you have had several unpleasant experiences in the street. (I have been flashed at three times). Is part of the campaign to make it easier to challenge men over this sort of behaviour, and what is recommended?

Yes- one of the things I feel passionately about is that too often it appears we ask women to take responsibility for these issues- about what they wear or where they go- rather than having a zero tolerance approach. It also sends a very poor message about men that we think they are somehow incapable of behaving in any other way, which as a big fan of men I don't believe! We all need to say this kind of behaviour doesn't do anyone any favours- and to support each other in calling it out!

have just been told off for suggesting I won't dance by gransnet- i will dance, just badly is my point! luckily there are amazing flashmob troupes who have rhythm and timing coming to the events to hide behind - so join me even if you two have two left feet as there'll be a big crowd !

granIT

You famously wrote the sleeve notes for an album by Seamasters (The Seamasters?) Can you tell us why we should listen to them? And what band should we be listening to now? <tries to be cool>

Its a band called the Wedding Present and the album is called Seamonsters - for me it was one of the key album that I used to sit in my bedroom sulking with as a teenager and hence is very special to me. Everyone has the soundtrack of why life isn't fair don't they? Having been a youth worker before I got elected I know today's teenagers are still sulky so....;-)

wastrel

Did Ant and Dec ever respond to your attempts to get them onside over Wonga?

Alas Ant and Dec's agent refused to pass on my messages about offering to talk through the problems with taking money from Wonga....anytime they want, they'd be welcome to drop into walthamstow or westminster to find out why legal loan sharks are such a problem in the UK...anytime lads, anytime.....

vilebody

Are you in favour of ending Page 3? Clare Short took a lot of stick for it, of course. But that was then.

I've been working with Lucy Holmes and the amazing No More Page 3 campaign for sometime- she's a real star! For me that campaign is a classic example of the difference we can make when we provide a space for people to come forward and say what we think inside which is this is creepy and outdated. I'm delighted to see Rupert Murdoch saying he's thinking of dropping it and hope he does- it would be a step in the right direction towards a 21st century britain where women are celebrated for their talents, not their tits!