A double setback for the sisterhood Mary Wakefield The Independent

"W hat happened to sisterhood?" asks Mary Wakefield. In the
past week we've seen two "shameful" examples of women really
screwing it up for other members of their sex. First there was
Corporal Tilern DeBique, the single mother who sued the Army
for sexual discrimination after she was disciplined for missing a
parade to look after her daughter. She only won £17,000 (her
original claim was for £!. lm), but her actions will have confirmed
all the worst prejudices of those who believe that women don't
belong in the Army. The other blow to female equality was
delivered by the latest crop of female parliamentary candidates,
who posed for a glamorous photo shoot in Grazia magazine. The
would-be MPs - "six Labour lovelies, six Cameron cuties and five
of the most reasonable-looking Lib dames" - all offered quotes
about wanting to be judged on substance rather than looks. But
why. then, get dolled up and stand in a line "flashing tactical
cleavage"? Forget "those pasty-faced men squabbling over the
keys to No. 10". If women want to win their rightful place in the
world, they need to stop sabotaging their own cause.