POPPY HEBDEN-LEEDER: Austerity cuts hit women hardest

Poppy Hebden-Leeder, the Green Party's PPC for Swindon North, introduces her debut Link column...

I recently came across a statistic that really floored me: 75% of the austerity cuts have fallen upon women. A century after the suffragettes, why are women being so unfairly hit?

Largely, it’s because women take on the bulk of child-care, unpaid care work, typically have lower pensions and frequently have lower paid or part-time jobs and so are often reliant upon certain benefits. Additionally, women account for two thirds of employment in the public sector, such as the NHS, social care and education, where cuts are already taking place, with more planned for the future. Aside from the fact that it is shocking that anyone is facing such tough times due to the austerity cuts, we should be deeply shamed as a society that women are treated this badly, hurting the life chances of their children and families.

The Green Party is firmly against the austerity measures we've seen imposed, recognising it is the most vulnerable amongst us that are being hit hardest. The Greens have a long term vision and policies specifically aimed at closing the gender gap. For example:

• Introduction of a living wage
• Introduction of a citizens' income and citizens' pension
• All medium and large companies to carry out an equal pay audit and redress any pay inequalities identified
• Introduction of shared maternity and paternity leave

These aims and policies won't just improve the lives of the women they directly impact, but also of children and relatives they may be caring for. Equality for women means greater equality and cohesiveness across our society, which benefits us all.

When policies are dictated by wealthy older men they reflect the needs of wealthy older men, not the needs of all members of our society. The green party wants more women in government, and is aiming for half of our candidates standing in this year’s general election to be women.

But women also need to get out and vote - estimates are that 9.1 million women didn't vote in the 2010 election. To have a voice, and be represented, we need to speak up and be heard.