Happy International Women's Day, one and all!
It sure is great to be a woman in austerity Britain. Earning 9.4% less than our penis-beari g colleagues, extortionate child-care fees and pitiful 39 weeks Statutory Maternity Pay. Yes, being a girl is awesome.
Morbid as it sounds, women are more likely to be killed by their partner than anyone else. 2 of us a week to be precise. Beyond that frankly horrific statistic, thousands of women are the victims of domestic abuse every year.
It's easy to say "just get out" but for a lot of women it's not as simple as that.
Some women are too terrified, some feel ashamed and like its their fault. Some don't have anywhere to go.
Local councils have a responsibility to provide refuge for anyone escaping domestic abuse. In reality, however, this accommodation is often hard to find out about, even harder to get in to and often woefully inadequate once you get there.
In fact, in the South East, there are half as many refuge beds as we need.
It is an absolute disgrace that in a civilised society, women are forced to remain the victims of violence because of a lack of services.
The Tory cuts to legal aid (a policy which Labour will be keeping if elected) will mean women who leave but cannot afford a lawyer will find themselves cross examined by their abuser and their legal team in the courtroom.
It is an ugly reality, a reminder of the cruelty which is the natural logic of austerity politics. Women do not matter. People do not matter. The only thing that does is profits.
Don't get mad, get even.
There is an alternative.
Women and men, up and down the country are getting involved with TUSC. TUSC councillors will refuse to implement council cuts. TUSC councillors stand for budgets based on the needs of the community.
We need investment in publicly owned, run and accountable social care.
We need free childcare for all.
We need specialist support and enough homes for the victims of domestic abuse.
We can do it. On International Women's Day in 1917, female workers in Russia went on strike. The demanded bread, peace and land. They led the male workers and ended up getting rid of the tsar a few days later. Girl Power!
rightly but sadly said, Women and children do not matter. The experiences of Women and children Victims of Domestic Abuse beggars belief from agencies and judicial system. there still remains very little funding for support or refuges and its 25% nationally of all violent crime and over 90% child protection cases.
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