Women fighting back, photo Paul Mattsson

Women fighting back, photo Paul Mattsson   (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)

Sally Peterson, Gloucester

Women have borne the brunt of the cuts inflicted by the Con-Dems and the current government.

Over the past decade, women’s pay, work opportunities and protection have been eroded.

Women have fought the idea of benefit payments going to one person in a household – a throwback to the old days when the ‘head of the household’ dealt with everything – as part of Tory ‘Universal Credit’ plans. This and other measures could force women back into dependency.

Of the people living in poverty in this country, 40% are women and 23% are children. Last year the Trade Union Congress revealed that half a million more women than men were looking for work.

The poor, the victims of the system, often find themselves blamed for their situation. Unemployment, under-employment and low pay obviously affect more than just living standards. They have a profound effect on self-esteem, and physical and mental health.


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