• AS we approach International Women’s Day, mothers and children fleeing war are in the news once again.

The asylum-seekers based at Crossroads Women’s Centre, most of whom are mothers, know all about war, the death and devastation it wreaks on people and all life, and the greedy governments and industries that benefit from it.

On March 8 we are launching an international survey not about war but about caring: “What Do Mothers and other Carers Want?”

For the first time unwaged carers in different countries and cultures, and of different genders, will be asked for their views on caring, the most important work of all, and whether caring work is a contribution to society that should be paid.

The webinar launching this survey is part of 50th anniversary of the Wages for Housework campaign. It will hear from a number of countries, including Argentina, Canada, India, Ireland, Italy, Peru, Thailand, USA, Scotland and Wales. You can register on our website.

We are reminded of the 1915 song that said: There’d be no war today if mothers all would say, ‘I didn’t raise my boy to be a soldier!’

But who listens to mothers anyway?

We do.

Invest in caring not killing.

NINA LOPEZ
Global Women’s Strike