Socialist Party women's meeting brings together members to share experiences

Following the election of Donald Trump millions of women marched around the world in protest, photo Paul Mattsson, photo Paul Mattsson (Click to enlarge)

Mia Hollsing, Caerphilly Socialist Party

The Socialist Party held its annual national women's meeting on 6 January. This was a great opportunity for women members from all over the country to get together to share views and experiences, to build political confidence and to explore issues of particular relevance to women.

The first discussion was on 'Greece and the lessons for fighting austerity in Britain', introduced by Socialist Party executive member Judy Beishon.

Given that it's estimated that women bear 86% of the austerity burden this is an important discussion.

The lessons from the Greek workers' experience can help us work out a programme and strategy to fightback.

After lunch we then had a discussion on '#MeToo, austerity and the fightback against sexism and women's oppression today', introduced by editor of the Socialist Sarah Wrack.

This was a wide ranging discussion which covered, among other things, the #MeToo campaign on social media and how this can be translated into the 'real world', sexual harassment in the workplace and how this can be addressed, domestic violence and the lessons from the Campaign Against Domestic Violence the Socialist Party launched in the 1990s.

We emphasised the need to consider the issues faced by working class women, instead of focusing on only celebrities and their experiences.

We then finished the day by discussing how we can take our work forward among women in the workplace and trade unions, on university campuses and in community campaigns.

Donate to the Socialist Party

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.
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.

Inevitably, during the crisis we have not been able to sell the Socialist and raise funds in the ways we normally would.

We therefore urgently appeal to all our viewers to click here to donate to our Fighting Fund.