
For hundreds of years women have worked to achieve basic rights at home, at work and in public life. The outcome of the EU Referendum is a call to action. A call to give women control over their lives and to create a more equal future.
To do this we must:
Guarantee women's rights and promote a positive agenda for progress.
To do this we must:
See women represented throughout the process and at every level.
To do this we must:
Unite our communities and tackle racism, misogyny and all hate crime.
To do this we must:
Ensure women are not hit hardest if there is an economic downturn.
We stand together with women's organisations and others across the UK to call on the Government, all political parties, the leadership candidates and those involved in the anticipated EU negotiations to:
Ensure women across the country have an equal place at the decision making table and that their voices are heard.
Guarantee there will be no weakening of women’s rights and continue progress towards equality for women.
Continue to work internationally and in the UK to tackle violence against women and girls, FGM and human trafficking, and close the gender pay gap.
Recognise that improving women’s lives and creating a more equal society is better for our economy and our society.
Prioritise specific needs of women experiencing multiple disadvantage, based on race, sexuality, disability, income, vulnerability, migration status or other factors.
Urgently address the racism and violence that many women and men are experiencing, often disproportionately targeted at women. Protect EU migrant women from unfair treatment.
Which rights might be at risk?
The majority of women’s rights are in both UK and European law. As such leaving the EU doesn’t immediately threaten them, but it does mean this government or future governments could choose to weaken or even eliminate some women’s rights.
Read the Face Her Future campaign briefing
Equal treatment at work
European law guarantees gender equal pay for work of equal value; that part-time work pays the same per hour as people doing the same job full-time; and that you cannot be fired for trying to move between part-time and full-time work. 40% of women in the UK work part-time and would be affected by any reduction in their rights.
Domestic and sexual violence
At present, European policy means that restraining orders put on abusive partners apply across the whole of the EU; and that crimes such as human trafficking and sexual abuse can be tackled across European borders; and that there is a Europe-wide push to end violence against women and girls.
Racism and abuse
Since the vote for Leave, hate crimes nationally shot up by 42% in the two weeks following the vote; hate crimes against Muslim women have increased by over 300%, with visibly Muslim women experiencing 46% of all hate incidents; and European women who live in Britain legally have had their status put at risk.
Equal treatment for mothers and pregnant women
European law ensures that pregnant women cannot be forced to do night shifts; that employers have to provide space and time for breastfeeding; that leave for antenatal appointments must be paid; and that you cannot be fired from your job for having a child.
Which women's right means most to you?

“I want to protect all of our rights. Women’s rights are human rights, and men and women need to work together to ensure none of them are restricted or taken away from us.” Corinne Redfern, Journalist
Women’s Rights
“As I’ll soon be entering the job market I care particularly about protecting women’s rights in the workplace, like anti-discrimination laws and equal pay.” Małgorzata Sarzyńska, Student
Equal Pay
“I worry about the future of current working regulations (derived from the EU) that aim to attract, retain and support women and parents/carers in the workplace.” Phoebe Ohene, Parliamentary Worker
Working Regulations
“I’m concerned about the state of the economy and trade and what that means for the industry I work in which has already suffered from substantial cuts, relies on international funding, movement of people and objects. Women’s voices aren’t being heard when it comes to conversations about the economy, major issues that have major consequences for all women around the UK.” Bianca Gidwani, Marketing Manager
Women’s VoicesShow your solidarity with women across the UK by sharing a photo of yourself and a woman (or a few women!) you are close to with #FaceHerFuture. It can be your mother, daughter, friend, sister, spouse, colleague – any woman whose rights you want to protect and advance as we enter uncertain times. This is who you are fighting for.
- Post a picture with you and a woman who is important to you
- Tweet, Facebook, Snapchat or Instagram your picture using #FaceHerFuture and tagging your friend, asking them to pass it on and do the same
- Tell us which area of women’s rights you’re fighting for and why
This is our brill intern Severija. We want to #FaceHerFuture as she enters the working world https://t.co/vykJN9OZMA pic.twitter.com/77weE9mwJd
— Fawcett Society (@fawcettsociety) July 20, 2016
Donate
We need your support to keep this campaign running throughout the UK’s departure from the EU. Text FACE20 £5 (or however much you’d like to give) to 70070 to donate to the campaign, or visit JustGiving.
You can also become a member of Fawcett to support all our campaigns and work towards ending gender inequality by visiting www.fawcettsociety.org.uk.
What will my donation be spent on?
Share your committment
These women's organisations and others across the UK are working together to #FaceHerFuture.
Join us.