Socialist Women's Network
Encyclopedia
The Socialist Women's Network is the women's wing
of the Scottish Socialist Party
and campaigns on issues particularly affecting women. Although primarily made up of party members, the SWN is open to all women who are interested in women's issues from a socialist perspective. Although the main ideology of the network is socialist feminist, there are a variety of interpretations of feminism
within the network and there are a number of radical feminists who are also members.
The SWN has existed since the beginning of the SSP
, however was relatively small until the Sheridan crisis occurred. The issues raised within that period of the party, together with the demonisation of leading women within the party led to a reinvigoration of the network and a renewed interest in feminist issues within the party
The network has campaigned on issues as diverse as sweatshops, female deaths in custody
, right to choose, prostitution
, sexual violence
and the rights of migrant women. It holds a regular event on International Women's Day
and organises dayschools and residential weekends which are open to all women interested in feminist issues to meet up and discuss current issues in feminism and women's rights, both in formal and informal settings.
Women's wing
A women's wing is an organisation affiliated with a political party that consists of that party's female membership or acts to promote women within that party. The organisations take different roles and types, with some giving women the option of joining and others automatically enrolling all...
of the Scottish Socialist Party
Scottish Socialist Party
The Scottish Socialist Party is a left-wing Scottish political party. Positioning itself significantly to the left of Scotland's centre-left parties, the SSP campaigns on a socialist economic platform and for Scottish independence....
and campaigns on issues particularly affecting women. Although primarily made up of party members, the SWN is open to all women who are interested in women's issues from a socialist perspective. Although the main ideology of the network is socialist feminist, there are a variety of interpretations of feminism
Feminism
Feminism is a collection of movements aimed at defining, establishing, and defending equal political, economic, and social rights and equal opportunities for women. Its concepts overlap with those of women's rights...
within the network and there are a number of radical feminists who are also members.
The SWN has existed since the beginning of the SSP
Scottish Socialist Party
The Scottish Socialist Party is a left-wing Scottish political party. Positioning itself significantly to the left of Scotland's centre-left parties, the SSP campaigns on a socialist economic platform and for Scottish independence....
, however was relatively small until the Sheridan crisis occurred. The issues raised within that period of the party, together with the demonisation of leading women within the party led to a reinvigoration of the network and a renewed interest in feminist issues within the party
The network has campaigned on issues as diverse as sweatshops, female deaths in custody
Deaths in custody
Death in custody is when a person dies when in the custody of the police, prison service or other authorities. Death in custody remains a controversial subject, with the authorities often being accused of abuse, neglect, racism and cover-ups of the causes of these deaths...
, right to choose, prostitution
Prostitution
Prostitution is the act or practice of providing sexual services to another person in return for payment. The person who receives payment for sexual services is called a prostitute and the person who receives such services is known by a multitude of terms, including a "john". Prostitution is one of...
, sexual violence
Sexual violence
Sexual violence occurs throughout the world, although in most countries there has been little research conducted on the problem. Due to the private nature of sexual violence, estimating the extent of the problem is difficult...
and the rights of migrant women. It holds a regular event on International Women's Day
International Women's Day
International Women's Day , originally called International Working Women’s Day, is marked on March 8 every year. In different regions the focus of the celebrations ranges from general celebration of respect, appreciation and love towards women to a celebration for women's economic, political and...
and organises dayschools and residential weekends which are open to all women interested in feminist issues to meet up and discuss current issues in feminism and women's rights, both in formal and informal settings.