Women take fightback to Westminster

Around 1,500 women from a diverse range of backgrounds came together in a '50s-themed protest against cuts to domestic abuse services and plans to restrict abortion rights.

After marching through the capital they assembled outside the Treasury to demand the reversal of the austerity cuts, many of which are set to hit women hardest.

Writer Kate Smurthwaite slammed the government's "attacks on women's bodies" in the form of cuts to key health services.

She also warned of further plans to curb abortion rights following Tory MP Nadine Dorries's failed bid in September to water down women's right to choose.

"These are our rights and we will fight for them," Ms Smurthwaite said to huge applause. "Refused abortion is a forced pregnancy."

Wielding a coat hanger, an implement often used in "back-street" abortions before women had a legal right to choose, she added: "If we lose our rights, we will be back to the coat hanger.

"These are our bodies and our rights - and Mr Cameron, you will never take them from us."

Unison union head of local government Heather Wakefield slammed the "carnage" ministers are reaping on desperately needed public services and the working conditions of the people who provide them.

She called for backing for the November 30 strike over pensions, warning that if rises to women's retirement age went through "you will see 68-year-olds lifting 68-year-olds" in our homes and hospitals.

Southall Black Sisters spokeswoman Chitra Nagarajan also spoke of the impact of spending cuts which have hit women's refuges that help the victims of rape.

She led the buoyant crowd in a chant of "Our tradition, struggle not submission."

And Fawcett Society acting chief executive Anna Bird declared: "We think we are very much at a watershed moment for women's rights in the UK.

"We think that the impact of austerity has brought us to a tipping point where, while we have got used to steady progress towards greater equality, we're now seeing a risk of slipping backwards.

"We cannot afford to let that happen."

johnm@peoples-press.com