Why We Are Calling For A Women's Hustings

FiLiA has asked the Labour leadership candidates to commit to a women’s hustings, which we have offered to host.

FiLiA is not party political. We are committed to building sisterhood and solidarity, amplifying the voices of women, and defending women’s human rights - no matter who is in government, no matter who is in opposition, and no matter who is leading any particular party. For women’s human rights to be upheld, those women who are entitled to vote - nationally, locally, or within a party - need to know what is being offered to them. That is why we are calling for a women’s hustings: we have no view at all, as an organisation, on who should win, but we do think that women should be entitled to know who is offering what to them.

And there is much that women would like to see from those in power, or those seeking power. Look at the appalling statistics on femicide. Look at the grim prospects before those who report rape and serious sexual offending. At the risible practice of release under investigation. The hostile environment, the culture of disbelief in lesbian refugee claims, the calls from some quarters to end single sex exemptions of the Equality Act. The ice caps melting faster than the pay gap is closing. The impact of poverty, access to benefits, childcare.

What makes it a dispiriting time to be a woman should make it an exciting time to be a politician offering the possibility of historic solutions. We are in the midst of a feminist revival as women campaign against injustice. We look forward to hearing from those who seek the power to change it.

Women are 50% of the population. Not only that, but we are the 50% of the population who provide the overwhelming majority of the unpaid care, endure the overwhelming majority of the sexual violence, who tolerate the overwhelming majority of the fear of street harassment.

Anyone who is seeking to represent the population must represent women. The women’s hustings is a perfect opportunity for those seeking power to demonstrate that they understand women’s needs and will fight for them.