We came together to answer the key question Do We Need a Socialist Women’s Liberation Movement in Britain. With some seed funding from the Communist Party of Britain, a first meeting was held in July 2023. Representatives from 14 organisations attended, some of whom continue as steering group members.

We are Socialist feminists seeking to build a mass women’s movement. We see  the struggle for women’s liberation as central to the struggle to eradicate all exploitation.

We see the mainstream left as having capitulated to a hostile ideology that refuses to acknowledge the oppression of women in a meaningful way.

The WLA was founded by women for whom Trade Union activity has been a lifelong commitment. Other founder members have been involved in women’s work, work with  women and  girls, anti-racist,  violence prevention and socialist politics their whole lives.

The WLA was founded because of the growing frustration felt by all these women whose political interests and priorities were no longer represented by left wing organisations.

WLA is committed to the ongoing struggle for women’s rights and we continue to work within these organisations- we hold the principle of building a strong women’s movement alongside and as part of an anti-sexist, anti-racist labour movement.

Our founding statement and principles bring us back to these interests and priorities, clearly establishing a set of policy areas we want to reclaim.

The WLA is explicit in its political direction and welcomes all women who share these concerns.