Campaigning on International Women's Day

Campaigning in Leicester on International Women's Day, 8 March 2014, photo by Hannah (Click to enlarge)

I am a single mother on a low wage, living in a village and relying on expensive public transport with no buses after 6pm or on Sundays.

So I understand some of the problems facing women affected by this government's onslaught of cuts, who want to get involved in the fightback but are hampered by their situation.

On International Women's Day Leicester Socialist party decided to hold a stall aimed at these women, campaigning for a £10 an hour minimum wage and free childcare - which struck a chord with many women and men.

A man walking past with a baby in a pushchair did a u-turn when he heard us talking about fully-funded childcare.

We sold 14 papers, raised some fighting fund and met four young people interested in getting involved in the Socialist Party.

Two women comrades who hadn't been involved in activity or meetings for a while came to help on the stall with their children and a new young member did her first stall and sold her first paper.

The atmosphere was light-hearted despite the seriousness of the issues; some of us dressed up in Victorian women's outfits and we played music through the megaphone.

Comments we heard on the stall included: "I agree with everything you're doing and I really want to help but I have two young children and I can't go out in the evenings." , "I want to get involved but I can't come to a meeting in a pub.", "I wouldn't usually come over to talk to you because politics is all about men and doesn't seem to have anything to do with my life."

Several women said they would try to come to our follow-up meeting on women fighting back against the cuts.

We have already decided to do a rota of Saturday stalls in three towns in the county, in addition to our Saturday stall in Leicester and our Friday stall outside the council offices.

As well as meaning the branch does activity in new areas, this will enable comrades who can't travel to take part. If women can't get to us, then we have to go to them!

The day after the stall I had discussions with and sold copies of the paper to four women in my village.

We are also considering restarting our Saturday discussion group for women and holding regular meetings and campaign stalls on issues particularly affecting women.

Helen Gadsby, Leicester Socialist Party

A Rape Is No Joke anti-sexist comedy night took place in Cardiff on International Women's Day. The very successful event was attended by 60 people.

Donate to the Socialist Party

Coronavirus crisis - Finance appeal

The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.

The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.

The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.

The Socialist Party's material is more vital than ever, so we can continue to report from workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate staffing levels, etc.
Our 'fighting coronavirus workers' charter', outlines a programme to combat the virus and protect workers' living conditions.
When the health crisis subsides, we must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.