Be more SEEN!
Last week Sex Matters hosted a meeting of people involved in the Sex Equality and Equity Networks (SEENs) and other sector and staff networks.
The first SEEN was launched in October 2022 by a group of civil servants. It is a civil-service staff network that aims to challenge discrimination relating to sex, pregnancy and maternity, sexual orientation and gender-critical belief. It has been recognised as a legitimate staff network, held events, set up departmental SEENs, published articles, and provided support, advice and resources to colleagues. It has collected evidence of how the promotion of gender-identity beliefs in Whitehall is leading to discrimination and undermining civil service impartiality. This dossier was sent to the head of the civil service. Members have met with the civil service’s head of human resources to discuss their concerns.
The second to launch was SEEN in the City, which is for banking, insurance and finance employees. Since then SEENs have sprung up all over the place, including HR, the police, healthcare, universities and Parliament. There were 23 groups at our meeting. They included established SEENS and other sector networks, as well as nascent groups that have not yet launched publicly, such as those in the voluntary sector, universities and the legal profession. With Woman, the group for midwives and other maternity workers, has published a toolkit on their rights at work, and why clear language matters.
Sector networks are crucial, because the capture of organisations is not just a war on women but a war on competency. Unless people can speak freely about material reality, ask for clarity on policies and challenge irrational and harmful practices, they cannot do their jobs.
The protection of gender-critical beliefs in the Equality Act means that employers should treat people fairly when they speak up to say that sex matters. But many are still acting according to “Stonewall law”, viewing people who say that sex is real, immutable and important as bigots – to be, at best, barely tolerated.
The SEEN organisers have found widespread support and interest, but also fear of engagement. People are afraid to “out” themselves as gender-critical at work (and some had to ask to be left out of our picture above). This fear is well-founded. The DEFRA chapter of the civil-service SEEN is fighting a legal challenge to its existence, and the launch of SEEN in publishing sparked a hostile response from the Pride networks of the biggest UK publishers.
The day was a chance for groups at different stages of development and organisers from all over the UK to gain courage, make connections, share learning and inspire each other into action. It ended with planning and goal-setting, with each group resolving to take the next step and Sex Matters resolving to provide support in key areas. The trade-union group (TU Seen) was inspired to launch publicly with a Twitter account the following day!
“Today has inspired me with ideas and enthusiasm to take away.”
“Incredible day. Thank you so much for hosting. It’s so liberating. Have lots of hope and optimism.”
“It’s amazing what happens when you set like-minded, motivated people together.”
“So inspirational to meet other SEENs!”
“Thank you for helping us do our jobs and keep them!”
“So happy and inspired to be in a room together and feel less alone.”
“What an inspiring day! This is the next step in making workplaces safer for women.”
“I hear that fear is contagious, but so is COURAGE!”
If there is a SEEN in your sector, get in touch with it. If you are starting a new SEEN, let us know. Sex Matters will be publishing more on how to set up a SEEN and the lessons emerging from the workshops. Make sure you are on our mailing list to hear more.