A special edition of the Tyne Tees Television current affairs programme ‘Briefing’ takes an extended look at women’s rights and opportunities both within the world of work and politics. The programme begins with a filmed report by Kevin Rowntree that looks at the contracts of women in two different worlds of work. This is followed by a discussion with a group of women who have all been involved in different ways to secure equality for women. Title: Tyne Tees Briefing Inside a Gateshead...

A special edition of the Tyne Tees Television current affairs programme ‘Briefing’ takes an extended look at women’s rights and opportunities both within the world of work and politics. The programme begins with a filmed report by Kevin Rowntree that looks at the contracts of women in two different worlds of work. This is followed by a discussion with a group of women who have all been involved in different ways to secure equality for women. Title: Tyne Tees Briefing Inside a Gateshead garments factory women working on sowing machines. In the Tyne Tees Television studio in Newcastle presenter Ian Breach explains that it is a fact that a job as a machinist on a production line is likely to be ‘the lot’ of many northern women. In this special edition Briefing will takes an extended look at women’s rights and opportunities in the year of WISE, Women in Science and Engineering and look at ways women can make progress in work, in politics and in society generally. Politics is also an area where women are underrepresented. No women currently standing as an MP in the region and only 23 out of 650 standing nationally. Over still images of the original Northeast women politician Margaret Bondfield, Dame Irene Ward and Ellen Wilkinson Ian provides details of their achievements. The Tyneside garment factory seen previously and women at work using sowing and other textile machines. In voiceover reporter Kevin Rountree explains that as jobs in manufacturing and industry become scarcer, women are making up a growing proportion of unskilled, or semi-skilled occupations. The trend is for married part-time workers in undemanding jobs where there are little or no prospects of advancing in a true career. Traditional jobs for men in the heavy industry sector have declined, and jobs for women are usually repetitive, low paid, and low grade assembly line positions. Kevin concludes by stating that ‘women in jobs like these can hardly be blamed if they're sceptical about a brave new climate of liberation at work.’ Hazel Moody and her husband out riding in the County Durham countryside. She is a highly successful businesswoman since she set up her company, Northumbrian Computer Management in 1974. In her office Hazel speaks with one of her female employees working on a computer. Around them other women performing other office related tasks. Driving a white Mercedes Hazel Moody arrives home, a large house in grounds in County Durham beside a lake Kevin Rountree explains her 'House and Garden' lifestyle springs from three main business areas: computer consultancy and software, word processing, head hunting and personnel recruitment. Hazel used to be a systems engineer with International Computers Ltd. (ICL) and then lectured in computer studies at Sunderland Polytechnic in Gateshead Technical College. Sitting inside Hazel talks with Kevin Rountree about setting up her business at home. She says she was writing code with a computer in one hand and a baby in the other. She hasn't encountered any prejudice as a businesswoman in the Northeast, she believes there is a certain respect for women trying to set up a business in the region. In a stable near the family home Hazel climbs onto a horse and joins her husband John for a ride. Kevin Rountree explains that as well as being a partner in Northumbrian Computer Management, John is also a systems engineer with ICL. Sitting at his desk he talks about the good technical education his wife received, how hard she works, and how ambitious she is to make the business a success. In Hazel’s adjoining office she discusses a quote for with business with client David Bird who is manager of all computing facilities of a national chain of department stores. The Moody's thirteen years old teenage daughter Jill gets on with her homework sitting at a desk in the room next to her mothers. Hazel comes out to see how schoolwork is progressing. Back in her office Hazel speaks with Kevin Rountree about why she thinks there are not more women executives in business generally. She replies that she doesn't think many women want to go into business and that, as a whole, the educational system doesn't encourage people to go into business on their own. It's seen as something you do when you get your redundancy pay. She thinks that women believe having a home and family is not compatible with having a career. Returning to the Tyne Tees studio Ian Breach leads a discussion on the points raised in Kevin Rountree’s report with Margaret Morrison from the Civil Service Union, Janice Hand a Consultant Engineer, Tess Gill Legal Adviser to the Transport and General Workers Union, Emma Nicholson Vice Chairperson of the Conservative Party Special Responsibilities – Women, Lesley Abdela Leader of the 300 Group, Joyce Quin MEP for South Tyne and Wear, Dame Pamela Hunter Chairperson of the National Union of Conservative Associations, Gaye Johnston Social Services Principal Assistant and Rosemary Brownlow Social Democratic Party (SDP)-Liberal Alliance. Ian Breach brings this first part of the discussion. Title: End of Part One Part Two The discussion continues with the question being asked ‘what can be done to overcome prejudice at Westminster, in our homes, school and on television’. Joining this part of the debate is Lucille Campey Ex-Equal Opportunities Commissioner and Audrey Thompson from the G.M.B.W.U. The discussion and programme comes to an end with Ian Breach looking forward to next weeks edition that will look at the importance of tourism in the region. Credit: Presenter Ian Breach Reporter Kevin Rountree Film Camera Eddie Crooks, Dave Leeder Film Sound Ian Richardson, John Hughes Film Editor Peter Telford Research Lynne Petrie Political Editor John Sleight Director Bernard Preston Produce Bob Farnworth End title: Tyne Tees Colour. © Tyne Tees Television MCMLXXXIV