AN EVENT to celebrate women in Basingstoke is being held by two political parties to raise awareness of the ‘crisis in childcare’.

The Basingstoke branch of the Women’s Equality Party and the Basingstoke and North East Hampshire Green Party are hosting a joint event to mark International Women’s Day on March 8.

The two groups will be in Eastrop Park on Sunday, March 12 between 11am and 2pm collecting data on care costs from park users to raise awareness of the crisis in childcare and social care.

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The two parties will also announce their support of each other’s candidates in the upcoming election.

Stacy Hart, branch leader of the Basingstoke Women’s Equality (WE) party will be contesting the Hatch Warren and Beggarwood seat in the borough council elections in May, while the Green party’s Basingstoke co-chair Jonathan Jenkin will be contesting the Chineham seat.

Stacy said: “This is a great example of how smaller and independent political parties can find common cause and work collaboratively.

“The environment is a huge priority for WE Basingstoke, even as gender equality is something our local Greens care about deeply.

“Our groups want to put tribalism aside and come together for the benefit of all residents, which is why we’re also delighted to support each other’s borough council seat bids in the Chineham and Hatch Warren and Beggarwood wards.”

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WE Basingstoke has drawn links previously between the care crisis disenfranchising women and the environmental benefits of care investment.

The two parties are inviting residents to come to Eastrop Park on the 12th and add their ‘care numbers’ to the display board.

Those might be weekly or yearly childcare costs; elder care costs or assistance costs to those with disabilities, or they might be the rate of pay received as a care worker or early years educator.

Cllr Michael Howard-Sorrell, Green Party councillor for Brookvale & Kings Furlong, said: “The local Green Party and I are excited to work with Stacy and the Women's Equality Party.

“Care roles in our communities are vital in supporting our society and economy, yet are chronically undervalued, under compensated and unsupported.

“Similarly, the cost of care is a barrier for many who simply can’t afford to pursue a career, whose expertise and creativity could be unlocked by removing these barriers.

“We are thrilled to work together on this event and to announce our shared support for Jonathan and Stacy as candidates in the Chineham and Hatch Warren and Beggarwood wards for the May local elections. We hope our working collaboratively can be an example to others of how most local people want politics to work.”

Anyone who wishes to participate can also email their care numbers to basingstoke@womensequality.org.uk for display on the day and find out more on social media @wepbasingstoke.