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Editorial

Recently we have seen vicious attacks on women's rights by the Government. The Domestic Purposes Benefit (DPB) has been cut from $61 to $45 for the first six months; solo mothers have been abused and harassed and labelled as 'bludgers on society'; the democratic right of having children by choice has been denied by the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Contraception, Sterilization and Abortion; hundreds of women have been laid off work, not to mention the increased emphasis by the Government and the Media on the sanctity of the family and the old idea of a woman's place being in the home.

Why are women being singled out in this way? New Zealand is an economic crisis, caused in part by an over-dependency on a narrow range of export products. In times such as these it is traditional for the Government to voice the old cry of 'A woman's place is in the home'. There are several reasons for this.

Firstly, under the present system, women are used as a reserve pool of labour and as such are the first to be laid off in times of trouble. When necessary, women are used in the sork-force but at any other time there is constant pressure upon them to remain in the home thus providing an effective cover-up for the unemployment problem in New Zealand. They also provide care for the young, the sick and the elderly and as such relieve the Government of a lot of economic responsibility for these people.

The eulogization of a woman's role as a mother and housewife has given rise to the stereotype of the ideal woman—silly, dependent, submissive pretty etc. - only in the workforce can women be liberated from these concepts and develop to their full potential. In order to achieve equality in production women must demand the necessary conditions childcare, equal pay, free contraceptives etc.

The question of abortion must be seen in this light. The advent of reliable contraceptive measures and of safe techniques of abortion is an advance of immense significance in that it gives women control of their own fertility. This control should not be denied by society, no matter what political events are taking place. Opposition to the right to abortion comes from those with a reactionary view of society and the role of women with in it and should be viewed in this light.

If the legislation based on the Report of the Royal Commission is passed, the chances of having a safe, legal abortion will be minimal. Wide-ranging opposition to the Bill has already alarmed many MPs and we must capitalise on this now. The Bill's second reading is expected in mid-October. Whether or not it is thrown out depends upon our efforts. Support Safe, Legal Abortion!

—Lamorna Rogers and Leonie Morris