The question "What are the consequences for women of having the coalition government?" should define our campaigning for the year ahead. Already, we know unemployment and welfare cuts are forcing many into financial difficulties. Less well-known is how its agenda is affecting the personal safety of women. Last year, Labour established the Everywoman Safe Everywhere commission to investigate.

From fears about cuts to services for victims of rape or domestic violence to the impact of turning off street lighting and raising car parking charges and discomfort at the way in which women are portrayed in modern culture, the responses astounded us all. Some of these problems pre-date the coalition but bringing them together highlights how women are now under pressure from many different directions. It must be our choice to challenge this.

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