Unison director of organising KEVIN LUCAS explains the Organising to Win strategy, its successes to date and key tests on the union’s horizon
WHAT a week it’s been for Labour. The “unimportant” and “not electorally significant” sex and gender issue has hit headlines almost every day — not due to a manufactured “culture war,” but because Labour’s manifesto proposals are confusing and contradictory — much like the comments from Keir Starmer and several shadow frontbenchers.
The muddle of Labour’s policy-making on sex and gender (and the obvious vein of sexism towards women) has been exposed during this election like never before. Labour Women’s Declaration (LWD) has for years warned the party about the risks, including our unheeded calls to ensure policies reflect the evidence.
JK Rowling’s recent intervention — stating Labour had “abandoned” women and she (a former significant donor) would “struggle” to support the party — reflects the anger and disappointment many Labour women feel towards a party that continues to ignore, dismiss and undermine them. (Labour offered to meet Rowling to address her concerns — she said they should meet grassroots women’s groups first).
NORMA AUSTIN HART reports from a conference on on the rights of women prisoners in the Scottish criminal justice system
Professor MARY DAVIS argues that feminism has been hollowed out by liberal co-option – and only a revival of socialist, class-based politics can restore International Working Women’s Day’s original, radical purpose
As Saudi Arabia is hailed abroad for its ‘reforms,’ the reality for women inside the kingdom grows ever more repressive. On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, MARYAM ALDOSSARI argues it is time to stop applauding the illusion – and start listening to the women the state works hardest to silence
Sisters came together last weekend for the landmark launch of a new women’s group. ROS SITWELL reports


