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Socialist Youth News
 Anti-war protest - Sat 15 March
Socialist Youth notice

On 15 March, thousands will protest around the world against the occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan.

Socialist Youth will be participating in protests and also organising a series of “Resistance” meetings around the country at which young people can discuss political issues like the occupation of Iraq, climate change and socialism. You can find out more about Socialist Youth’s “Resistance” and anti-war activities by visiting socialistyouth.wordpress.com or phone us at 01 6772592.

Join Socialist Youth on the anti-war demo on Saturday 15th March, 1pm Parnell Square, Dublin. more info - www.bebo.com/Socialist-Youth.
Socialist Youth News
 75th anniversary of Hitler coming to power... Never Again!
Stephen Rigney

Over 40 people attended an anti-racist and anti-fascist rally organised by Socialist Youth in Dublin on 30 January to mark the 75th Anniversary of Hitler's rise to power and to say Never Again to fascism.

The rally addressed the growing issues of racism being whipped up against migrant workers by the capitalist media and politicians, the introduction of a brutal new asylum bill that will see asylum seekers locked away in detention centres and the ongoing discrimination against the Travelling community and other minority groups.

Johannes, an anti-fascist campaigner with International Socialist Resistance in Germany (CWI) addressed the rally about the threat of fascism in Europe and what it really represents for workers, youth and minorities.  Rosanna Flynn, a campaigner with Residents Against Racism spoke about the importance of defending the rights of asylum seekers and the need to fight against the introduction of the new asylum bill.

Speaking at a public meeting after the rally, Johannes explained why fascism came into being in Germany, as a reaction against the echo for socialist ideas and the growing strength of the trade union and socialist movement.  Faced with workers looking for a socialist alternative, German capitalism pushed Hitler and the Nazis to power in order to suppress the workers movement and defend its drive for profits. 

A speaker for Socialist Youth raised that it was only through the struggle for socialism and a united movement of all workers and young people, that a decent future for all coulod be provided and that the threat of fascism and racism could be undermined and abolished.
Socialist Youth News
 Contraception: Why isn’t it free?
Cian Prendiville, Limerick Socialist Youth

In January's Finance Bill VAT on condoms was lowered from 21% to 13.5%. Any reduction should be welcomed, the crucial question is why, given the problems with sexually transmitted infections (STIs), is there VAT on condoms, or indeed why are they not free?

The VAT cut got some mixed reactions. As could be expected the Catholic Church was up in arms against it. The Union of Students in Ireland simply welcomed the reduction and called for the VAT to be reduced to 5%, unfortunately accepting the logic that there must be VAT and a price tag on safer sex.

This is at a time when according to one survey, 40% of students didn’t use a condom the last time they had sex. This is particularly worrying given the growing problems of STIs such as Chlamydia, gonorrhea  and HIV. Between 1998 and 2003 the reported number of STIs increased by almost 400%.

Yet despite this condoms are more expensive in Ireland than most other parts of the EU, with companies such as Durex and Mates making billions. It is the height of hypocrisy that the government can claim to be trying to tackle the spread of STIs and yet allow this profiteering to take place.

As well as this there is a shocking lack of decent, non-judgmental sex education for young people. In report after report there are stories of teenagers not using condoms correctly or following myths such as “you can’t get pregnant if its her first time”. In order to tackle STIs and unplanned pregnancies, sex education, free contraception, STI tests and treatment must be provided without stigma or judgment to all.

Socialist Youth News
 Birth control rip-off
Ann-Katrin Orr, Limerick Socialist Youth

According to a survey, 32% of women said that the price of the contraceptive pill discourages them from using it. At a time when there are high levels of crisis pregnancies, particularly amongst young women, this is a frightening statistic.

There’s a vital need for sex education but also the provision of free and easily accessible contraception.

The cost of the first 6 months taking the pill can easily come to ?200. This is because of the costs of GP visits, the pill itself and related charges such as the cost for smear tests and nurses’ consultation. Whilst in the South third level students may have access to free or reduced cost health care through their college, most have to pay the full costs involved. This is disgraceful, especially when compared to the North where young people can get the pill free of charge.

On top of the financial burden women are also often confronted with the social taboo attached with getting contraception. They can feel intimidated and judged by their GPs, especially family GPs, some of whom actually refuse point blank to prescribe the pill. It should be the right of each and every woman to choose if she wants to use the pill as a contraceptive.