Ahead of International Women’s Day on Sunday 8 March, Rushanara Ali MP last night marked the occasion by hosting a large public event alongside Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, Harriet Harman MP. 

Part of Labour’s Woman to Woman campaign, the event celebrated the history and contribution of women in Bethnal Green and Bow and provided an opportunity for local women to discuss the political issues that are important to them.

Speaking during the event, Rushanara argued that women across the UK had been hit hardest by Government cuts and outlined what a Labour Government would do for women, including:

• an increase in free childcare from 15 to 25 hours per week;
• the appointment of a Shadow Minister for Preventing Violence against Women and Girls;
• ending the gender pay gap by introducing strong transparency standards that would force companies to reveal how much they pay men and women in similar roles.

Speaking after the event, Rushanara said:

“Over the last five years, this Government’s cuts have hit women hardest. In creating chaos in our NHS, cutting family tax credits or failing to tackle the gender pay gap, this Government has left women behind.”

“That’s why I was delighted to host this Woman to Woman event in my constituency. The amazing turnout shows that women in the East End want their Government to deliver for them – something Labour will do by increasing childcare provision, tackling domestic violence and fighting for equal pay in the workplace.”

“Women deserve a party which listens to them, represents them and fights for them. This event is an important step in putting the hopes and concerns of women in the East End front and centre for the next Labour Government.”