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‘Join together and march against racism’ say the RCM

on 01 March 2024

Being an anti-racist is everybody’s business says the Royal College of Midwives (RCM). The comments come ahead of UN Anti Racism Day demonstrations taking place across the UK which the RCM is encouraging it’s members to attend. 

The demonstrations are planned in London and Glasgow on Saturday 16 March and Cardiff on Sunday 17 March, marking the UN Days for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. They will highlight the UK’s international obligations to tackle racism and xenophobia and are aiming to bring awareness about dangerous rhetoric, deaths in the Channel, a rise in Islamophobia, attacks on civil liberties and the right to protest.

The RCM alongside the Trade Union Congress and the Trade Union Congress of Wales and the Trade Union Congress of Scotland, and other unions will be supporting the marches and we are encouraging our members to join us if they can. 

Eliminating racism in maternity services is a key goal for the RCM. Its ongoing Race Matters work includes training RCM staff and activists to challenge racism and call out discriminatory behaviour in the workplace. There is also have a mentoring scheme to support Black, Asian, and minority ethnic midwives and maternity support workers with their career development.

Commenting on the demonstrations, RCM Chief Executive, Gill Walton said:

“Everyone has a role to play in rooting out racism in society wherever we find it and that includes midwives and maternity support workers (MSWs). At a time of increased divisions in society, I encourage all our members who can to join with other trade unions and march against racism at one of these demonstrations across the UK. At the RCM we want to be a positive force for our global majority members and the women they care for. We actively seek to eliminate racism in maternity services, and we fully support the sentiment of these marches.”

The details of the marches are:

  • London – Saturday 16 March 2024 at 12 noon, Home Office, Marsham Street, London.
  • Glasgow – Saturday 16 March 2024 at 11am, BBC Scotland, Pacific Quay, Glasgow.
  • Cardiff – Sunday 17 March 2024 at 11am, The Senedd, Cardiff.

Further information and how to attend the demonstrations can be found here. 

Notes

The RCM’s Race Matters work includes training RCM staff and activists to challenge racism, listen and learn from our members, challenge discriminatory behaviour in the workplace and working to ensure that the RCM at every level is representative of the membership we serve.

The RCM has a mentoring scheme to support Black, Asian, and minority ethnic midwives and maternity support workers with their career development, with the aim of increasing the diversity of leaders in maternity services.

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