A “fun” and “family-friendly” protest for improved maternity rights will take place in Bristol this autumn. The “March of the Mummies” event has been organised by Pregnant Then Screwed, a pressure group campaigning for an end to “the motherhood penalty” in the UK.
The organisation says it is seeking “recognition, respect and action for working mums and dads” including affordable childcare for all children, flexible working practices and paid paternity leave. It arranged marches in six UK cities during 2017 – protests have been planned this year for eleven locations, including Bristol.
An Eventbrite listing for the event promises face painters and music at the family-oriented protest, with organisers expecting “a huge increase in attendees and national coverage of this event”. The event is due on Halloween weekend - hence the title - and is due to take place on Saturday October 29.
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They add: “We hope that through peaceful demonstration we can continue to make a difference to the women who need our support more than ever before.” Anyone interested in attending the free event is urged to register through Eventbrite, so organisers have an idea of how many marchers to expect.
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) describes the “motherhood penalty” as “the pay gap between working mothers and similar women without dependent children”. They add that “the penalty is neither new, nor is it peculiar to the UK. It has been noted and measured before and it has been found to exist in many countries”.
