‘The global market – not life, not health, not well-being, not even the survival of the planet which sustains us all – determines priorities. So while the rich get richer, the arms trade fuels wars across the globe and billionaires buy up London, austerity takes away universal child benefit, lowers and cuts all benefits and wages, and drives families to homelessness and food banks.’
Forty years after the present women’s movement began women still do 2/3 of the world’s work, including growing most of the world’s food. We remain the primary carers everywhere: for children and for sick, disabled and elderly people, in the home and outside, in peace as in war. Caring is fundamental to society, but the skills it requires are undervalued and underfunded even in the job market – domestic work, homecare, childcare and even nursing are low paid.
The global market – not life, not health, not well-being, not even the survival of the planet which sustains us all – determines priorities. So while the rich get richer, the arms trade fuels wars across the globe and billionaires buy up London, austerity takes away universal child benefit, lowers and cuts all benefits and wages, and drives families to homelessness and food banks.
To redirect policies towards survival, justice and well-being, we are launching an international petition for every worker to be paid a living wage, including mothers and other carers, and for national and international budgets to prioritise financial and other support for caring work. This would also help close the income gap between women and men, and draw more men into caring.
To find out more: globalwomenstrike.net/uk
Red Pepper are running the People’s Agenda series in the run up to the General Election, demonstrating the breadth of exciting grassroots political activity in the UK.
#230 Struggles for Truth ● The Arab Spring 10 years on ● The origins and legacies of US conspiracy theories ● The limits of scientific evidence in climate activism ● Student struggles around the world ● The political power of branding ● Celebrating Marcus Rashford ● ‘Cancelling’ Simon Hedges ● Latest book reviews ● And much more!
And you choose how much to pay for your subscription...
Andrea Sandor explores how community-led developments are putting democracy at the heart of the planning process
D Hunter's 'Tracksuits, Traumas and Class Traitors' is an exploration of working-class struggle and strength, writes Liam Kennedy
Jake Woodier reviews a new documentary film that brings heist aesthetics to a story of debt activism
‘Radical federalism’ should do more than rearrange the constitutional furniture, writes Undod’s Robat Idris
Proudly 'anti-woke' posturing is just the latest government attempt to memorialise white supremacy. Meghan Tinsley reports on the politics of commemoration
Government demands for public sector ‘neutrality’ uphold a harmful status quo. For civil servant Sophie Izon, it's time to speak out