Mobilise gender equality day Edinburgh

Wednesday at MOBILISE Anti-Cuts Festival is Gender Equality Day, and we’re aiming to get as many women as we can together for a placard and banner making session from 12 noon at Belford Road, then for a silent protest at 2:30 in St Andrew’s Square. You are of course welcome to bring your children!

A study by the House of Commons Library in July 2010 www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/jul/04/women-budget-cuts-yvette-cooper showed that women will bear the brunt of 75% of the cuts.

"Of the nearly £8bn net revenue to be raised by the financial year 2014-15, nearly £6bn will be from women and just over £2bn from men." (Guardian report 4 July 2010)

Public sector jobs cuts are likely to mostly affect women, whilst benefits are being slashed, and taxes hiked for low earners. It makes a mockery of Cameron’s pledges for a family friendly government. Combined with the endemic problem of the low pay ceiling, this is pushing gender equality into the dark ages.

Women from all walks of life will be gathering in Edinburgh’s financial heartland at St Andrew’s Square – by the Bank of Scotland headquarters and Harvey Nichols – for a dignified public protest at the erosion of gender equality these cuts are causing.

So if you’re a comedian, actor, director or other artsy type in town for the Fringe, or just an ordinary working mother (and all mothers are working mothers), come out in support. Join us for a placard and banner making session from 12 noon at Belford Road, then for a silent protest at 2:30 in St Andrew’s Square. You are of course welcome to bring your children!

Activate, agitate, debate, laugh, mobilise

Mobilise is on all week from Sat 13 - Sat 20 August. Tickets for evening shows (£6/£4) are available at www.mobilisefestival.co.uk or 0131 226 0053 or on the door at UNISON Offices, Douglas House, 60 Belford Road, Edinburgh - map here www.mobilisefestival.co.uk/where-are-we.
All other events are FREE!

For more Mobilise Festival information please contact Nancy Kelly on 07904 342230 or the UNISON Press Office. Find out more at UNISON Scotland website: www.unison-scotland.org.uk/mobilise11