draw new activist blood into both the 10808888888889 women's organisation and the wider Socialist Movement. struggles that feminist activ. ists have been involved in for many years, the manifesto could provide an opportunity for socialist feminists to take the lead in the period. This could in turn cre te the conditions for a reformed women's movement for women's liberation.
Of course, to a large extent what is possibie will depend on the outcome of the clection.
Rest Whatever happens, the messery or saving a stro and vibrant socialist feminist swork remains, the import ance of using the manitesto fo reach new layers of women and bring them into the net.
Campaigning
But the manifesto can also serve anotner useral purpose It is an opportunity to put the demands of women onto the agenda of the left.
By pulling in new activists through the election campaign, Conference of the Left - called by the socalist Movementwill be well attended, repre sentative, and most importantly a place where a campaigning strategy can be mapped out with the strongest possible input from socialist feminists.
Copies of the Election Manifesto for Women can be ordered from Women for Socialism, c/o: 57 Birnam Road, London, N4 3L). Tel: 071 272 7030. The Dublin Supreme Court has now overturned the High Court injunction preventing a 14 year old rape victim from travelling to Britain for an abortien. Thankfully she las been able to terminate her pregnancy, but the abortion debate rumbles on. PENNY DUGGAN looks at the issues. OUR RIGHT to choose how to express our sexuality, to decide when and whether we want to be mothers, is a basic democratic right for because it is fundamental to our control over our own lives and bodies.
Denial of this elementary right, as is so graphically illustrated in this case, leads inevitably to the denial of other basic Since 1983, the amendment hasalready given riseto a series ot attacks on women's simple right to information on what possibilities exist in the case o an unwanted pregnancy. The thodsands of people on the streets of Dublin who chanted the telephone number of a preg Catholic Church still threatens irish women nancy advisory service dunng recent demonstrations were committing an illegal act!
The recent injunction was a denial of another basic right -the right to trave!. The young woman had committed no crimeagainst Irish law. Shewas the victim of the crimes of sexual abuse and rape. She would commit no crime in Britain, where abortion is legal.
The only reason for preventing her - or any other woman wanting to terminate an unpregnancy travelling to a place where it could be performed in safe and legal conditions, is to impose a view that takes no account of the individual woman's cirActual life This is the view that says that the potential life of a foetus, is ove: the sutral life arid wellcring o: a woman. The High Court judge summed ! when hesaid that the risk of this young woman committing suicide was much ess and of al different order of magnitude the unborn will be terminated'.
But no legal or constitutional bans will offer any other certainty. Because bans only ensure that abortions are not legal - they still occur, in the worst and most dangerous conditions. Or women give birth, frightened and in hiding, like the 15 year oid girl who died after giving birth . alone in an Irish churchyard five years ago, too frightened to tell her family.
The Supreme Court ruled that the risk to the life - not the health or well-being - O! women should be taken into account. This is progress, but No. 18
OFFICIAL G.M.B PICKET LINE slump. that. Huge new office blocks stand empty.