One thousand Leeds mums will march for their workers rights this Halloween.
On October 29, mothers and families are coming together for a protest led by Pregnant Then Screwed to highlight the "horrific" treatment of mums in the UK, they say. The ‘March of The Mummies’ protest is Halloween-themed to demonstrate the frightening lack of consideration mothers have been granted by the Government.
From 10.30am until 1pm the protest will take place in City Square, Leeds city centre, and protesters will dress up in Halloween themed outfits to symbolise the "horror" treatment of working mothers. It is the biggest protest of mums to ever take place in the UK; 11 regions are taking part.
Read more: 'Inspiring' midwife who left the Caribbean for Leeds and endured vicious racism
As well as Leeds, the march will also be taking place in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Bristol, Leeds, Cardiff, Glasgow, Newcastle, Norwich, Belfast and Exeter. West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin, Author Vicki Broadbent (aka Honest Mum), Deputy Leader of the UK Women’s Equality Party, DR Hannah Barham-Brown, Associate Dean for Law and Police Studies at York St John’s University, Dr Ernestine Gheyoh Ndzi, and Dr Patricia Hamilton, a lecturer in the Sociology department at the University of York, will be speaking at the event.
The national protest is demanding reform on three key issues that are pushing mothers out of the workforce and into poverty:
Increased funding for the childcare sector to enable affordable, high quality childcare for all children
Ring-fenced and properly paid maternity and paternity leave
All jobs to be flexible by default
Recent Pregnant Then Screwed data has revealed the harsh reality that mother’s are currently facing. Problems noted include extortionate childcare costs, lack of financial support for new mothers and fathers, and a lack of good quality part time and flexible work.
Joeli Brearley, Founder and CEO of Pregnant Then Screwed, said: "Mothers from all over the UK have come together today because enough is enough. We want urgent progress on women’s rights. It’s the 21st Century, yet 54,000 mothers are being pushed out of the workforce every year for simply daring to procreate.
"We have the second most expensive childcare in the OECD, the third worst ranking maternity benefit and the worst ranking paternity benefit in Europe. Data from the ONS shows that women of childbearing age are dropping like flies from the workforce.
"The childcare sector is in a mess; thousands of nurseries have collapsed this year alone. We have had enough."
Joeli Brearley, CEO and Founder of Pregnant Then Screwed, added: "We’ve got women terminating pregnancies, thousands more deciding not to have children, or not to have more children. Women falling out of the workforce in droves; and children being pushed into poverty - What for?
"All because of an unaffordable, inaccessible, dysfunctional childcare sector that has been neglected for the past decade by this Government; a number of broken promises about making flexible working the default; and a parental leave system that simply isn’t working. Inaction by this Government on these core issues ultimately makes us all poorer; if parents are unable to financially contribute to the economy then we miss out on skills and income, whilst dishing out benefits to keep families from destitution."
He added: "It makes no sense. If you want us to work so that we can financially contribute to both our family and the economy, then give us the social infrastructure to be able to do just that.
"We are calling for an end to the shambolic support system that is failing mothers and families everywhere. We want to see change now."
Sally Haslewood Founder & MD of Mumbler Ltd said: " As a business founder, employer & mum of two I am constantly surprised that so many employers haven't yet opened their eyes to the huge pool of talent that is being lost through a lack of flexible working opportunities & affordable childcare options. All staff; employees, franchisees & freelancers at Mumbler work flexibly, around the needs of their families, and my company is the better for it."
Read Next:
'Inspiring' midwife who left the Caribbean for Leeds and endured vicious racism
GMB’s Martin Lewis clashes with mum-to-be who slams his ‘miserable’ energy saving tips
Inside new Leeds NSPCC hub that's bringing vital services for children and families to the city
Leeds United's Cody Gakpo pursuit 'in doubt' as expectations shift after electric start to season
