Louise Nousratpour in Westminster
Friday June 6, 2008
The Morning Star
WOMEN'S campaigners warned on Thursday that true equality cannot be achieved without communal and collective struggle against the exploitative nature of a society determined to reinforce class, gender and race divisions.
Delegates at a one-day London conference organised by teaching union NASUWT examined why, 90 years after the first woman MP was elected and 80 years after the franchise was finally extended to all women, only 19 per cent of MPs are female.
The event provided a forum for women decision makers to meet community activists and trade unionists in order to discuss strategies against the scandalously low female representation in Parliament, business and other positions of power.
However, the conference noted that the depressing figures do not reflect the massive involvement of women in grassroots campaigns, trade unions and local politics.
Britain ranks 51st in the world in terms of female parliamentary representation, behind North Korea, Cuba and even Kuwait.
Speakers at the One in Five conference accused authorities of "institutional sexism" in a society where occupational segregation is normal and women are still overburdened with "traditional" roles.
Joella Hazel of the Fawcett Society argued: "The ambition is there, but the structures that exist in society stop women from accessing positions of power as men often do."
London Metropolitan University Professor Mary Davis said that, to understand why we still battle racism and sexism, "we must understand the role of the exploitative society that seeks to reinforce class, gender and race divisions to keep wages down and workers divided.
"Nothing can be achieved without collective struggle in the community and in our trade unions, which can give women a sense of power and belonging," she insisted.
Aston University professor of sociology and UCU union activist Gargi Bhattacharyya agreed, warning: "Measures such as Labour's all-women short list are little more than tricks to get individuals into Parliament.
Ms Bhattcharyya added: "A common presumption is that a woman in power equals positive change, no matter her class or political background.
"But some of the world's most powerful women, Condoleezza Rice, Indira Gandhi, Benazir Bhutto, have been as murderous, violent and corrupt as men in power."
Global crisis 'won't stop the US empire'
Louise Nousratpour in Croydon
Tuesday May 27, 2008
The Morning Star
CPB congress: COMMUNIST Party delegates vowed on Monday to build broad and non-sectarian resistance against imperialism in the face of a new wave of anti-communism brought on by the latest capitalist crisis.
Congress warned that the economic crisis gripping the world, far from spelling the end of capitalist rule, would lead to more imperialist wars and proxy wars around the world in search of maximising profits through opening up new markets and control over world resources.
In a comprehensive debate on international issues, delegates at the 50th CPB congress pointed to sweeping radical changes in Latin America led by Cuba and Venezuela to free the region from the clutches of the imperialist power "in the north."
CPB international secretary John Foster argued that the protracted capitalist crisis had led to the "emergence of new areas of resistance to capital domination."
But he warned against complacency, noting that, while the dominant US imperialism was facing long-term economic and political challenges, its military power exceeded that of the rest of the world combined.
As well as attempting to destabilise the Middle East, the US is now engaged in proxy wars in Africa in search of new markets and resources, he said.
"The EU is also playing a key role as an imperialist military interventionist," Mr Foster said, rejecting claims by some in the labour movement that the EU could counterbalance US hegemony.
Executive committee member Gawain Little highlighted proposals in the EU treaty which would lead to further militarisation of the member states as well as the whole-scale privatisation of all remaining public assets.
Mr Foster argued that China, not the EU, could effectively challenge the US.
He cited the recent escalation in anti-China propaganda through the so-called Free Tibet campaign as proof that the imperialist powers were becoming increasingly weary of the socialist country's rapid economic development.
North London delegate Andrew Murray made the case for continued efforts to maintain and build a powerful anti-war movement that cuts across the sectarian divide.
And Scottish CND delegate Alan McKinnon urged communists to renew support for the campaign against Trident replacement.
"Winning this battle would help break the link that ties Britain to US foreign policy," Mr McKinnon added.
Mr Foster concluded: "Socialism is not just possible but it is the only system that can meet the challenges of sustainable development and bring peace and social justice to the world."
Tuesday May 27, 2008
The Morning Star
CPB congress: COMMUNIST Party delegates vowed on Monday to build broad and non-sectarian resistance against imperialism in the face of a new wave of anti-communism brought on by the latest capitalist crisis.
Congress warned that the economic crisis gripping the world, far from spelling the end of capitalist rule, would lead to more imperialist wars and proxy wars around the world in search of maximising profits through opening up new markets and control over world resources.
In a comprehensive debate on international issues, delegates at the 50th CPB congress pointed to sweeping radical changes in Latin America led by Cuba and Venezuela to free the region from the clutches of the imperialist power "in the north."
CPB international secretary John Foster argued that the protracted capitalist crisis had led to the "emergence of new areas of resistance to capital domination."
But he warned against complacency, noting that, while the dominant US imperialism was facing long-term economic and political challenges, its military power exceeded that of the rest of the world combined.
As well as attempting to destabilise the Middle East, the US is now engaged in proxy wars in Africa in search of new markets and resources, he said.
"The EU is also playing a key role as an imperialist military interventionist," Mr Foster said, rejecting claims by some in the labour movement that the EU could counterbalance US hegemony.
Executive committee member Gawain Little highlighted proposals in the EU treaty which would lead to further militarisation of the member states as well as the whole-scale privatisation of all remaining public assets.
Mr Foster argued that China, not the EU, could effectively challenge the US.
He cited the recent escalation in anti-China propaganda through the so-called Free Tibet campaign as proof that the imperialist powers were becoming increasingly weary of the socialist country's rapid economic development.
North London delegate Andrew Murray made the case for continued efforts to maintain and build a powerful anti-war movement that cuts across the sectarian divide.
And Scottish CND delegate Alan McKinnon urged communists to renew support for the campaign against Trident replacement.
"Winning this battle would help break the link that ties Britain to US foreign policy," Mr McKinnon added.
Mr Foster concluded: "Socialism is not just possible but it is the only system that can meet the challenges of sustainable development and bring peace and social justice to the world."
Czech and Cuban delegates set out global challenges
Louise Nousratpour in Croydon
Tuesday May 27, 2008
The Morning Star
CPB congress: CUBAN and Czech communists told congress on Monday that communists around the world faced many global and local challenges which need a "constructive and united" front.
Addressing the last day of congress, Communist Party of Cuba representative Teresita Trujillo thanked the CPB for its continued support for her country's struggle against US imperialism.
"The enduring US blockade is the longest in human history," Ms Trujillo noted.
"But Cuba also faces co-ordinated hostile policies forged between the EU Parliament and the US.
"They call it the transition of Cuba towards 'democracy.' What they mean is a transition from socialism to capitalism."
Ms Trujillo said that, while some European countries were pushing for a progressive change in EU policies toward Cuba, powerful nations such as Britain were actively pushing for a US-style approach.
"This is why we need your support in pressuring your government to back off," she stressed.
"We face anti-communist campaigns in many ways, in particular in the European countries, and we have to face it together as an international united family," she said to a standing ovation.
Czech Communist Youth Union (KSM) chairman Milan Krajca warned of the increasing anti-communist campaign in the Czech Republic, which has led to a ban on his party.
Mr Krajca believes that the ban was a response to the communists' leading role in the popular campaign against US plans to install military bases in his country.
"Opinion polls show that 70 per cent of the population are against US bases," he said, "yet the government continues to finalise its agreement with the US."
Mr Krajca said that KSM members "remain defiant in the face of the ban and government persecutions. Thousands have signed the KSM petition against the ban."
Tuesday May 27, 2008
The Morning Star
CPB congress: CUBAN and Czech communists told congress on Monday that communists around the world faced many global and local challenges which need a "constructive and united" front.
Addressing the last day of congress, Communist Party of Cuba representative Teresita Trujillo thanked the CPB for its continued support for her country's struggle against US imperialism.
"The enduring US blockade is the longest in human history," Ms Trujillo noted.
"But Cuba also faces co-ordinated hostile policies forged between the EU Parliament and the US.
"They call it the transition of Cuba towards 'democracy.' What they mean is a transition from socialism to capitalism."
Ms Trujillo said that, while some European countries were pushing for a progressive change in EU policies toward Cuba, powerful nations such as Britain were actively pushing for a US-style approach.
"This is why we need your support in pressuring your government to back off," she stressed.
"We face anti-communist campaigns in many ways, in particular in the European countries, and we have to face it together as an international united family," she said to a standing ovation.
Czech Communist Youth Union (KSM) chairman Milan Krajca warned of the increasing anti-communist campaign in the Czech Republic, which has led to a ban on his party.
Mr Krajca believes that the ban was a response to the communists' leading role in the popular campaign against US plans to install military bases in his country.
"Opinion polls show that 70 per cent of the population are against US bases," he said, "yet the government continues to finalise its agreement with the US."
Mr Krajca said that KSM members "remain defiant in the face of the ban and government persecutions. Thousands have signed the KSM petition against the ban."
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