Vic: Women rally for reproductive rights

AAP General News (Australia)
04-30-2005
Vic: Women rally for reproductive rights

MELBOURNE, April 30 AAP - Women in Melbourne will rally today demanding free childcare,
free abortion and employer-paid maternity leave.

The Campaign for Women's Reproductive Rights plans to present a petition to federal
member for Wills Kelvin Thomson and will hold a rally in Coburg Mall, in Melbourne's north.

The campaign consists of a coalition of students, unionists, queer groups and socialists.

Group member Anastasia Chrisohoidis (Chrisohoidis) said a lack of reproductive rights
limited women's choices in life.

"The denial of free childcare, paid maternity leave and access to free abortion services
shuts the door to education, career prospects and economic independence," she said.

"To force women to stay home and raise babies is a life sentence of dependence either
on a man's wage or government welfare."

Fellow group member Paola Uliana (Paola Uliana) said without better access to childcare
women could not participate in society as equals.

"The Howard Government and religious zealots, in and outside parliament, want women
back in domestic service as baby machines and maids for their working families."

AAP kl/sco

KEYWORD: WOMEN

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