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From The Socialist newspaper, 23 February 2022
London Socialist Party women's meeting
Discussing ideas to fight women's oppression
Helen Pattison, London Socialist Party secretary
Violence against women has been brought to the fore by recent events. There have been angry vigils and protests against sexual assault and attacks. This was the backdrop for our meeting of women members of London Socialist Party.
The Covid pandemic brought to the surface all of the divisions of capitalism, including sexism. Mainly women were further trapped in violent relationships, simultaneously trying to work from home and homeschool their children.
Socialism
The experience of the pandemic has helped working people, including women, want to get more involved in socialist politics.
The meeting started by discussing a Marxist approach to women's oppression and Friedrich Engels' book 'Origins of the Family, Private Property and the State'. It was really useful to put women's oppression in its historical context, before talking about the movements currently taking place and our own campaigning work.
Another attack could see the movement against violence and sexism burst onto the streets again, and the Socialist Party is ready to support such protests. We also discussed the local elections in May, where councils will once again be passing on Tory austerity.
Cuts to refuges, council housing, and local services often have the biggest impact on women, who rely on them the most. It was a good meeting, and women members of the Socialist Party in London left brimming with confidence for the battles ahead.
- See 'Engels on the origins of women's oppression - and its relevance to today's struggles' at socialistparty.org.uk to learn more about Engels' book, or read 'It Doesn't Have to be Like This' - available from leftbooks.co.uk
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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 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.
- 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 donate to our Fighting Fund.
In The Socialist 23 February 2022:
News
Unite and fight for a decent pay rise
Johnson scraps Covid safety measures
Tories instruct teachers to wipe Britain's real history
International news
Ukraine: Workers' unity against capitalist warmongers and imperialist meddlers
Canada: Prime Minister Trudeau invokes Emergencies Act to end 'Freedom Convoy'
One year after the military coup in Myanmar
NHS
Privatisation and crisis in the NHS
Erdington by-election
The Erdington byelection and the fight for a new mass workers' party
Vote Nellist for a workers' MP in Birmingham Erdington
Workplace news
Tube workers strike in defence of pay, pensions and conditions
University workers continue strike against bosses' attacks
Coventry bin strikers lobby strike-breaking Labour council
Scunny scaffs action forces bosses to the table
Usdaw: 'Reinstate Max' week of action
Trade union support for standing anti-cuts election candidates
Barts NHS workers to walk out again on 28 February
Just Eat couriers continue action to fight pay cut
Rail workers strike in Sheffield
Students
Workers and students unite and fight
Fighting fees and marketisation after 2 March student walkout
Campaigns news
Restore Cardiff's slashed services
Brighton Green and Labour cuts - workers and communities fight back
Surrey: Unions and campaigns say stand as an anti-cuts candidate
Newham City Farm - closed with no consultation
London Socialist Party women's meeting
1 March: Socialist Party new website launch
Review
TV review: This is Going to Hurt
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2021