Women’s struggle is key component

Susan Farquhar WW photo: Lal Roohk

The following is excerpted from a speech by Susan Farquhar of the Detroit Action Network for Reproductive Rights to the May 13-14 conference on socialism sponsored by Workers World Party.

Workers World Party has understood from day one that a woman’s struggle for full rights and equality, including the right to make reproductive choices, is a key component in the working-class struggle.

In addition, we recognize that the repro ductive-rights movement must involve women of every nationality, and include immigrant, low-income, lesbian and transgender as well as disabled women.

We also understand that while reproductive rights are under intensified attack, it is not a coincidence that every single social service that supports families has been cut to the bare minimum.

While the right to reproductive choices includes the right to have children, how can women safely plan to have families when decent jobs are scarce, when schools are being closed and when the greatest percentage of our wage taxes goes toward a criminal war in the Middle East?

Spurred on by this crisis for choice, and with impending challenges at home in Michigan, several women members in our Detroit Workers World branch prepared to struggle.

Recognizing this tremendous vacuum in the struggle for reproductive choice and motivated by the inspiring example of Lakota leader Cecelia Fire Thunder, president of the historic Pine Ridge Reser va tion, who is leading a fightback in South Dakota, we began to strategize a course of action.

On May 6, the Detroit Action Network for Reproductive Rights was formed. It includes a multinational grouping of working-class women. This network is committed to both saving and expanding reproductive rights, including the right to abortion and full contraceptive access for both women and men.

As we struggle around this issue so crucial to women’s equality, we also recognize the need to link ourselves with other struggles in the working-class movement in the fight for a socialist future. For it is only through socialism that women will achieve full reproductive rights, the end of sexism and complete emancipation.