Heffer launches 'Women's Manifesto

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THE left wing candidate for Leader of the Labour Party, Eric Hefter, has launched a Women's Manifesto as part of his campaign. He said:

"It is crucial that women receive a fair deal from the Labour Party. Women inside the Party are rightly demanding greater power and responsibility, and in addition Labour must persuade millions of women to support socialist principles and positive action, it ..a Labour Government is to be elected at the next General Election.

"A. Women's Manifesto should be drawn up the by National Executive Committee in conjunction with the Women's Organisations in the Party, and should in my view contain:

*A major programme to provide free and integrațed child care facilities for all who want them.

*Changes in the Sex Discrimation and Equal Pay Acts to strengthen them and widen their scope.

*The promotion of Positive Action Programmes to deal with discrimination in employment.

"Shorter working hours and a radical look at working conditions.

*The introduction of a Statutory Minimum Wage.

*Action to deal with the sexist and degrading portrayal of women in the media.

'As far as presentation to the electorate is concerned, I believe that the Party should give women, and women's issues, a higher profile in election campaigns. We should provide a range of leaflets for women, written by women. We should attempt to explain to the electorate the fundamental link between our socialist principles and the fight for equality for women.

'Our society is still caught up in the out-dated image of male breadwinners, with women providing the 'back-up services' of home-making and child-rearing.

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