Sigmund Freud never puzzled out what women want. Is the Conservative Party any better at it?
I’m speaking on a panel next week at a Conservative Party Conference fringe event: The Politics of Motherhood – Are Conservatives doing enough to support women’s choices? (Go to the Facebook page.)
We hear more and more about how important women are to politicians. They tell us practically every day. But does that translate in better choices and better lives for us?
I’ll be sharing the dais with MP Claire Perry, Eleanor Mills of The Sunday Times, Ann Furedi of the British Pregnancy Advisory Service, and chair Cathy Warwick of Royal College of Midwives, pictured from left.
One focus of the discussion will be women’s decisions about having children and the when, why and how — issues increasingly subject to public scrutiny. Getting pregnant, having babies, childcare, nursery, school and work — are all hotly debated these days. What role can policymakers play in supporting women’s choices and how far can they go?
Do you think the Conservative Party policies benefit women?
The Conservative Party tells us women’s issues are important to it — closing the pay gap, encouraging women at the upper echelons of companies, supporting flexible parental leave and tackling violence against women. More controversially, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has said he would like to reduce the abortion limit to 12 weeks and more recently has asked for clarification from the Attorney General for a decision by the Crown Prosecution Service not to prosecute two doctors accused of arranging abortions based solely on the gender of the baby, which is illegal.
Abortion and reproductive rights are a very important issue to me. But I’m also interested in the question of how the Party is supporting women overall. Are they really taking their cues from British women and listening to what they want? Do their policies make real changes or just pay lip service? And does categorising these as “women’s issues” relegate them to a side discussion and keep them from taking centre stage? What do you think?
Come attend this FREE event
If you are in Manchester next Monday, come and join us in exploring the politics of motherhood today and the Conservative Party’s response going forward to the next election. The event is outside the secure zones so you do not need a conference pass to attend.
13:00
Richter Room
Radisson Blu Edwardian Hotel
Free Trade Hall
Peter Street
Manchester, M2 5GP
Refreshments provided
Find out more on the Facebook page
Tell us: Are the Tories doing enough to support your choices?
About Jennifer Howze
Jennifer Howze is the Creative Director and co-founder of BritMums. She blogs about family travel at Jenography.net, tweets at @JHowze and Instagrams at @JHowze. Previously, she wrote the Alpha Mummy blog at The Times and as a journalist has contributed to The Times, The Guardian, The Independent, The Wall Street Journal, Travel & Leisure, Budget Travel, CNN.com, Allure, SELF and Premiere, among others. She won The Maggie Award from the Planned Parenthood Federation of America for a health article in Seventeen magazine.
Marianne Whooley
Monday 30th of September 2013
When I found out I was pregnant with the twins I was over the moon as it had been a long time coming. I confided in a work colleague and within a month I was made redundant. The small local business I was working for had zero tolerance to staff getting pregnant and the maternity pay and time off awarded to us. They still do today and manage to get round this with loopholes in the system, I was powerless to fight for my job. I ran it past a solicitor at the time who said they'd been very clever.
Since that day I have never claimed a benefit - I'm not even sure I'm entitled to any and I've seen our working tax credit disappear plus other payments put in place for the woman who decides to stay home.
Personally I think the role of 'SAHM' is very undermined and changes could be made to help women more, more part time share opportunities and more work from home possibilities that allow mums to earn a little too.
Sounds like a very interesting opportunity today I look forward to hearing the results
Sonya Cisco
Monday 23rd of September 2013
Big questions there! In terms of Womens issues of course I am delighted to see that they are keen to ensure equal pay laws are implemented, and the they want to encourage more women into starting business etc, however life is about more than work. I have concerns about the proposed changes to the abortion act, of course in an ideal world you would like all abortions to be taking place before 12 weeks, but I worry that the majority that don't are involving more vulnerable women- young women who perhaps aren't acknowledging the situation they find themselves in, or women under pressure for other reasons. It is a complicated and emotive issue, and one that involves men too. It seems there is plenty of lip service being given to Women's Issues such as violence, forced marriage, FGM, but sometimes I wonder if it goes beyond platitudes, as it can seem like not enough action is being taken despite the strong words coming out of politicans mouths.
I think women's issues and the politics of motherhood are different things though. As a mother of course I want my daughter to have every opportunity afforded to her on an equal basis, but there is so much more I want for my kids, whatever their sex. I want a good green policy so we leave the planet to them in a healthy state. I want a caring society for them to grow up in. I want a society where no child is in poverty. I want a fabulous health service to look after them if they should ever need it. I want stay at home parenting to be seen as valid and important, not a 'lifestyle choice' that warrants no support financially or otherwise. I want to be trusted as a parent- not constantly told my lunchbox is unhealthy, that I cannot take my children on holiday, and that I should leave them at school from 8-6 so I can get back on the treadmill. The government should support parents not dictate to them. Most of us are doing a very good job thank you!
I know, I want a lot, and I have not the financial know how to tell a government how to make a little stretch a long way. Shall stop rambling now, and look forward to hearing how the panel goes, and what conclusions it comes to!
Jennifer Howze
Monday 30th of September 2013
Sonya, you make some great points. I especially bristle at the government telling me what kind of parent I should be. So much of the "initiatives" but all the parties seem to be about how the party wants to be perceived rather than what they really want to do. I get the feeling that the Conservative Party really doesn't know what to do about stay-at-home mums and working parents. They're so leery of making a stand that could backfire that it all becomes in-betweeny nothingness.