The Labour Party launched its manifesto in Birmingham on 21 November ahead of the upcoming general election. People have roundly praised the manifesto for its transformative policies, which will go some way towards alleviating the suffering caused by the Tories during their near-decade in power.
But one aspect of the manifesto that stands out is the focus on addressing injustice and inequality, and women’s issues in particular:
The Conservatives have failed to tackle society’s burning injustices. Instead, they have inflicted injustice after injustice on women, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) and LGBT+ communities and disabled people. Over 85% of the burden of Tory/Lib Dem cuts has fallen on the shoulders of women. [emphasis added]
This acknowledgement of the disproportionate harm austerity has caused to women is important. But even more significantly, concrete steps are proposed to address the disadvantages women continue to face due to structural misogyny and sexism:
What the #Labourmanifesto promises women #ge17 https://t.co/rbbphZ4pCl pic.twitter.com/tLvZA04ozv
— The i paper (@theipaper) May 16, 2017
"Over 85% of the burden of Tory/Lib Dem cuts has fallen on the shoulders of women. [Labour will] ensure women’s refuges receive the long-term sustainable funding they need. Misogyny and violence against women and girls will become hate crimes."#LabourManifesto
— Matthew Topham (@mjhtopham) November 21, 2019
Equality
The manifesto includes a proposal to set up a Women and Equalities department with a full-time secretary of state:
So proud of our Women and Equalities policies in #LabourManifesto! I'm so excited to deliver true equality in a @UKLabour Govt – including a standalone Women and Equalites department, Emancipation Educational Trust and much much more! Read the manifesto: https://t.co/Ue6ImhrRsz pic.twitter.com/eMH1qvqeC9
— Dawn Butler ✊🏾💙 (@DawnButlerBrent) November 21, 2019
And it pledges to close the gender pay gap by the year 2030:
#LabourManifesto We will put women at the heart of our government and programme. Next year marks the 50th anniversary of the Equal Pay Act, yet women still earn 13% less than men. Labour will take action to close the gender pay gap by 2030
— Judy Hamilton (@secretspartacus) November 21, 2019
Furthermore, women affected by changes to the pension age won’t be left behind:
https://twitter.com/laurenamber_m/status/1197581009681895424?s=20
It’s clear that inclusion is at the heart of Labour’s manifesto, as the party has clarified its stance on trans women as well:
https://twitter.com/MissEllieMae/status/1197632658806845444?s=20
Well-being
Women’s safety and well-being is another key issue that the manifesto addresses. Labour has pledged more support for survivors of domestic violence. And among its most groundbreaking policies is one that will make misogyny and violence against women and girls a hate crime:
The Labour Party manifesto contains pledges to ensure women’s refuges receive long-term sustainable funding, make misogyny and violence against women & girls hate crimes, and uphold single-sex-based exemptions re: the Equality Act 2010. They have my vote https://t.co/bcHODPHNBN
— Claire (@ClaireShrugged) November 21, 2019
"Violence against women and girls is unacceptable as is many women’s experience of criminal justice agencies. We will set new standards for tackling domestic and sexual abuse and violence, and appoint a Commissioner for Violence against Women and Girls." #LabourManifesto https://t.co/qcWXfYfEa2
— Ronke Lawal (@ronkelawal) November 21, 2019
And for the first time ever, there are plans to introduce ten days’ paid leave for survivors fleeing domestic abuse:
https://twitter.com/Charlie67802860/status/1197495275499278336?s=20
What’s more, the manifesto affirms women’s reproductive rights:
We are pleased to note that the Labour #manifesto includes the decriminalisation of abortion. Because of the hard work of pro-choice campaigning, decriminalisation – trusting women to have control of their own bodies – is now mainstream policy.#NowDecrim #ProChoice pic.twitter.com/OPFiHRYdBX
— Abortion Rights (@Abortion_Rights) November 21, 2019
And it takes an empathetic view towards women who’ve experienced miscarriages, with plans to offer them bereavement leave:
https://twitter.com/stef_wholemeal/status/1197487420788355072?s=20
All in all, there’s much about the Labour manifesto to make people hopeful. And certainly for women, Labour’s policies offer more support than that of any other party – making their choice of who to vote for on 12 December that much easier.
Featured image via YouTube/Guardian News
