WOMEN AND
THE LEFT GOVERNMENT IN FRANCE
In France no less than four different demonstrations celebrated International Women's Day 1982. The occasion was officially recognized for the first time here by the new government headed by a Socialist Party president, Francois Mitterrand. In front of 450 women invited to the Elysee, Mitterrand announced a package of measures that primarily affected women, including the long-demanded reimbursement of women, Chilean Women in Exile, and the Coordinating Committee of Black Women.
The Union of French Women (UFF-Union des Femmes Francaises), a group close to the Communist Party, held a conference on March 6 and 7 of 1,000 women around the slogan "Assert yourself, act, win as women."
Several thousand, according to Le Monde of March 9, joined the Sunday demonstration; l'Humanite, paper of the French Communist Party, claimed 20,000.
There were two other activities on March
By Linda Woods
The mobilizations were larger than in recent years. In part at least this reflects the increased confidence and higher expectations that French women, and especially working women, have now that a government is in power that they believe is "theirs. "
However, the lack of unity and meager trade-union support limited the impact of the activities. A united demonstration by the women's groups and unions could have been far more powerful.
The second session of the conference on "Unemployment and Women" co-sponsored
The CP-led CGT (Confederation General by the Paris region CFDT and the Coorpayments for abortions. Some are to be repaid beginning September 1, 1982, by social security. Under the state medical scheme, payments for drugs and medical services are reimbursed from the treasury in accordance with a certain schedule.
Other measures include increases in family allowances, projected laws against sex discrimination, new tax status for farm women and women with small businesses, as well as a 30% quota for women candidates in city and regional elections.
However, the Socialist Party (SP) led trade union, the CFDT (Confederation Francaise Democratique des Travailleurs), declined to officially participate in any of the March 8 public actions.
"The Socialist government has taken steps in the right direction, "commented one woman, "but this is not enough."
"l've come today because of the jobs question. It took me a long time to find a job and I think the government has to do more for women, especially school leavers, a young dietician said on the 2,000-strong March 6 demonstration.
"No to layoffs" and "One woman out of two--unemployed, "many of the banners said, reflecting the economic reality in France today.
A spokesperson for the Coordinating committee of Women's Groups in Paris said, "What we expect from the left government is far-reaching measures that can change the economic situation for all women."
"French women, immigrant women--solidarity!'" was a popular chant among the many international groups that took part, including abortion rights activists from Bilbao, Spain, Women and Ireland, Women in Solidarity with El Salvador, Turkish 24
8. du Travail) held a march of several thousand. Four-hour work stoppages were called for by the CGT, but seemed to be intended primarily to gather women trade unionists, in order to "discuss, suggest, and act with the CGT."
STOP FORCED STERILIZATION
YALTO A ESTERILIZACION FORZADA!
Floats, balloons, music and gigantic colorful banners headed the festive march of 5,000 called by the "MLF" (Movement pour la Liberation des Femmes). "Sexual, political, and economic independence" and "Women--into the streets, with us" were among the favorite chants along the route that ended at the Bastille. The "MLF" has recently published their "Ten Urgent Demands" for women and called for March 8 to be declared a paid holiday for all women, and only women.
The "MLF" raises the demand for wages for house work. Other feminists criticize this, saying that it means keeping women in the home and maintaining the old sexual division of labor. They argue that the women's movement should concentrate on the problem of full employment.
dinating Committee of Women's Groups is scheduled for April 17 and 18 in Paris. This is to open the second phase of a campaign to mobilize women on the issue of jobs and unemployment.
Under the left government in particular, one of the main strategies of French capitalists has been to increase the number of part-time workers. It is a way of introducing around-the-clock shifts, increasing the speedup, and cutting back the gains workers have made in work conditions. It especially affects women.
The 700 participants in the first session of "Unemployment and Women Conference" unanimously passed a resolution condemning part-time work. The conference considered that proposals of part-time work for women are only a diversion from the fundamental problem of finding jobs for the two million unemployed in France.
The Ligue Communiste Revolutionnaire, French section of the Fourth International, is campaigning for a 35-hour week for all, women and men, with no cut in pay.
In the March 11 issue of Rouge, Claire Bataille wrote, commenting on the March 8 demonstrations: "The urgent demands of women cannot be met without radical measures, which naturally, are in contradiction to the interests of the bosses. "