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Have a look at videos of the World March of Women in New York, on October 17 ; in Ottawa on October 15 and in Vancouver on October 14 and on October 17 (Women's Rights Tribunal ) on the working TV website : http://workingtv.com/main3.html Working tv is a volunteer produced labour/green/feminist tv show broadcast weekly on community access television in the province of British Columbia, Canada and webcast worldwide.

WMC confronts the UN in New York city

In English, French and Spanish,* ten thousand women roared at the United Nations -- and simultaneously, at the world -- this Wednesday, October 17, in New York City. It was the culmination of three years of relentless work and a World March that saw rallies and events in practically every corner of the planet. One hold-over activist from the '60s exclaimed: "To think I managed to live long enough to see a World March of Women!"

At nine in the morning of a gray day in Manhattan, there was no indication of the coming transformation of Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, a strip of open but cemented space running east to west, flanked by a street to the north, a skyscraper to the south. Iron police barricades were set up, enclosing the plaza, and a few men in uniform kept a sleepy watch on straggling pockets of women arriving. The first comers grouped themselves around benches, opened packages and boxes, put on yellow vests, brought out small flags and started rehearsing their chants.

As though by magic, more women showed up -- in groups of three or four, then five and ten, until there was a sizable knot of bodies restless with movement in the middle of the plaza. The Montreal contingent arrived, with a great noise of enthusiasm. Soon, women of diverse nationalities, wearing vivid national costumes, came in droves, marching four abreast, blowing whistles and setting up the chant of the day: so, so, so, solidarité; so, so, so, solidaridad, so, so, so, solidarity. Drums, whistles, tambourines, maracas... plus some strange instruments for making noise and making music: the back of a well-filled knapsack, a piece of wood, hard boxes... There were women from Mexico, from Brazil, from various countries of Africa; there were women from Iraq, from Jordan; and of course, there were women from New York. Meanwhile, a flotilla of cyclists had left Washington Heights at 9 a.m., carrying some of the 4,600,000 signature cards, banners, tapestry, plain cloth -- whatever could bear handwriting. Wending a zigzag path through the busy traffic, the 60 cyclists slowly but surely made their way towards mid-Manhattan -- buoyantly, despite the difficulty of riding a bicycle through city traffic, because they knew that representatives of women of the planet waited at the end of the route.

A stage was set up at the plaza's lower end, near the UN building. By the time the program formally opened, no open space could be seen from First to Second Avenue. Every inch of the Dag Plaza (as New Yorkers call it), was beneath the feet of women. They chanted, they sang, some wept. The crowd was never still. Currents of movement ran from one end to the other as, their emotions stirred, the women would quickly embrace one another, or break into a two-step shuffle, or sing or just holler and wave. The renowned feminist leader and writer Robin Morgan emceed the program in English. Magalie Marcelin of Haiti's Women House emceed in French and Spanish. The two braided introductions of speakers and performers with rousing calls to the crowd. They worked the audience so well that despite an overcast sky, the temperature in the area went up several degrees. Enthusiasm was riding fairly high by the time the bikers arrived with the signatures. When the total number of nearly 5 million was announced, the women broke out into cheers, ululations and applause.

As the time for the United Nations meeting drew near, the 200 international delegation was led in batches of 15 across First Avenue into the UN meeting itself. This was a long process, involving the March's peace keepers, New York police and the UN security. But finally, the delegates were assembled in Conference Room One. The chairs in the room were arranged in a half-circle, facing the dais where Francoise David of the Fédération des Femmes du Quebec sat with Deputy Secretary Officer Louise Fréchette, Mrs. Angela King, Special adviser of the General Secretary on women issues. Also present was the head of the UNDP. English and French were used throughout the proceedings and translation services were available. As an introduction, David talked about the Women's March and how it had gotten almost 5 million signatures in just six months. She then explained that there would be 5 presentations by representative women from various parts of the world. Fréchette, she said, had limited time and might have to leave shortly. So she was asking her to make her presentation to the delegation.

Fréchette said that Secretary-General Kofi Annan wanted to be at the meeting very much but the circumstances didn't give him that opportunity; that he had responsibilities in the Middle East. She said that she understood how much work went into the World March of Women. "I know you spared no effort," she said. She cited statistics that showed that 2.5 billion still lived on $2 a day; 1.2 billion on $1 per day. "Poverty does have a gender," she said, "and it is female." Fréchette's main thesis that more, not less, globalization was needed. Indeed, people should work to increase globalization, so that the benefits of a developed economy could be brought to all parts of the world. Meanwhile, the women's movement should "encourage their specific governments to make the right decision for the poor."

After this, the five women presenters rose one by one to address the gathered UN officials. They were from Morocco, Canada, Mozambique, India, Peru. One by one, the five women brought the demands of the World March forward. Among the issues they forwrad brought forward, in voices that rang with controlled anger were: the alienation and marginalization of indigenous people who are not even represented in the UN; structural adjustment programs which they insisted must end; the practice of commodification of women's bodies and the UN's double standard in its treatment of nations as represented by the right to veto. Repeatedly, they called for cancellation of all Third World debts, beginning with the poorest 53 nations and a halt to globalization, neo-liberal capitalism and patriarchy. They cataloged the crimes of patriarchy against women, including rape, incest, selective abortion, girl infanticide, genital mutilation and sex trafficking. They asked why in 50% of countries of the world, homosexuality was considered a crime. They then demanded that governments should condemn any authority which seeks to exercise control over women and girls. "The UN does not resist globalization," said Sail Shashi of India, "but rather act as its accomplice." Fréchette was visibly taken aback by the women's vehemence and yet, as she admitted, impressed by their dignity and discipline. She had expected she would have to leave before the end of the presentations but these were finished within the allotted time. She said that until the UN structure is changed, all the issues raised by the women were in the hands of member states. "Globalization," she said, "is an irreversible phenomenon." What must be done is that its "negative spinoffs" must not be allowed to widen the gap between the rich and poor nations. "Obviously, a lot of effort went into the World March of Women," she said, "and you are very clear as to what you want."

She promised to bring these concerns to the secretary general. She then left. Six women then made presentations to Angela King about the impact of war and violence on women. "We don't want to lose any more children to war," said Marta Buruticaof Columbia. She cited the weapons manufacturers are responsible for creating and exacerbating conflicts all over the world. "The industry of death travels from country to country, stirring up conflicts between and among peoples..." The most dramatic moment of the proceedings came when Fahima Vorgatts of Afghanistan, who had remained veiled in a blue chador from the first hour of the March, rose and spoke and then unveiled herself. The six women stood up, raised their link hands and chanted: NO MORE WARS, NO MORE WARS, NO MORE WARS...

The proceeding was then opened to interventions from the floor. Ruth Penaflor, who identified herself as an Amazon woman, spoke about the marginalization of indigenous women and need for a program to develop the indigenous people. Barbara Switzer of the National Assembly of Women of Great Britain said that the effects of globalization are also felt in Western nations. She cited statistics in the United Kingdom which showed that 4.5 children lived in poverty and that rape had increased by 65%, with only 20% convictions. Gracia Ramos of Mexico said that structural adjustment programs destroyed Mexico and that the United Nations needed to pay attention to these problems. She said that the delegates were disappointed at not meeting Sec-Gen. Kofi Annan. "We women have received often receive promises from men which are not carried out," she said.

Vandana Rana of Nepal raised the issue of sex trafficking in Nepal and the criminalization of abortion. Suzy Rojtman from France joined the woman from Great Britain in affirming that poverty and violence occur as well in the North. "Having said that, I wish to express my solidarity with the women of the South. " She pointed out that dividing women from rich and poor countries do both a disservice and benefitted only sexist globalization. She then demanded the cancellation of loans made by the IMF/WB. The question was raised whether the UN would be able to exert moral pressure on its member states to respect commitments made, even as the women continue to exert their own pressure on their respective governments. King then said that the UN could only be as strong as its member states would like it to be. She cited conventions and agreements, as well as programs, intended to address the issues the women raised. Women should continue making their reports to CEDAW, to keep the institution strong and viable, as well as take advantage of the optional protocol which came into force this year. She said that the UN envisioned ending discrimination by legislation against women by the year 2005 and to cut the number of people living in poverty by 50% in the year 2015. She said she was aware that that may not be soon enough for some people. She then said that she could see that "a new generation of women activists has emerged; you are more vigilant than your predecessors." With that, the meeting came to an end. Dr. Sylvia Estrada of Kilos Kabaro commented that this was similar to the IMF/WB meeting the day before. She said the two men who met them claimed that they were hurt that the women didn't understand either the IMF or the WB. "It was they who completely misunderstood," she said. "We went there to withdraw legitimacy from the IMF/WB, to remove power over us by the IMF/WB."

Meanwhile at Union Square, preparations had been underway since ten in the morning for the 3:00 p.m. celebration and program. A fully-booked program of speeches and performances promised a celebratory end to the World March of Women. New Yorker Elizabeth Shipley, a volunteer, was bemused by how people just kept going up to them to ask what was happening and to ask for balloons for their children. One employee of the Parks Department chided her for "not treating Parks employee well" because Elizabeth had refused to give her a balloon. "It was three hours before the event," she said. "I told her I'd give her one later but she wanted it at that very instant."

Ethnic performances mixed in with contemporary music and singing to bring the World March of Women dancing, despite tired feet, fatigue and hunger. Stilt walkers, clowns and others walked through the audience, inspiring laughter, as women wearing pseudo crowns and sashes with such words as Miss Poverty, Miss Violence, etc., drifted back and forth. Scarves, pins and various souvenirs sold briskly.

Like the Dag Plaza, Union Square North was ringed with barricades. It had been festooned with balloons by tireless volunteers. But by late afternoon, passers-by and some members of the audience, wishing to take a piece of the March with them, had snatched them all away. It was nearly dark when the festivities were called off. A fatigued but jubilant contingent of the Federation des femmes du Quebec, led by Francoise David, went on stage to thank those who labored mightily. Then it was good night and a sigh of relief that everything went well.

Washington. Sunday, October 15, 2000

Sunday, October 15. About 200 women, the international political delegation and March participants from countries in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, North America, South America and Europe emerged from the hotel this morning singing, shaking gourds, ankle rattles and noise-makers of all kinds on their way to join the U.S. women's national march. It was the first time women from different countries participating in the World March of Women have marched together in the streets and it was a memorable moment to see everyone so proudly united in action. Women have brought their placards and banners with them for the marches here and in New York. Today we saw the full delegations from Japan, India and Mexico for the first time. Over 100 Mexican women from Chiapas, Sonora, Chihuaha and many other states have come on an intercontinental bus caravan to join in the world rally of the World March both here and in the New York.

We joined the U.S. women for a march and rally on the Ellipse, featuring speeches by members of the March political delegation , and representatives from various U.S. women's organization.U.S. women from as far away as Minnesota, Florida, and Colorado were among the marchers. Two of them, a mother and daughter, were here from California and Arizona. Sara Bachman-Williams said her mother invited her last summer to come to Washington for this March. "Women's issues are everyone's issues and should be at the forefront of the politics of all countries," she said. She was thrilled to have met and spoken with women from all around the world and to have been part of a truly international action. "It reminds me of why I'm in this struggle. Hearing all the countries called out from the stage and the women cheering as they heard their country named, impressed her deeply.

Kelley Hughes works at the Abused Woman's Advocacy Project, a shelter for battered women in Auburn, Maine. One of her co-workers heard about the World March of Women a month ago and decided to charter a bus to go to Washington and march with women from around the world. She is here with her co-workers, friends and residents from the shelter. For her, seeing the March logo on banners from so many countries and in all the different languages has given her a needed energy boost. "It is a very powerful experience to hear so many different voices speaking out for the same purpose," she said.

Washington. Saturday, October 14, 2000

"Today we are almost 6000 groups in 159 countries and territories who are united in the belief that we must change the world," said Diane Matte during the opening meeting of the political delegation of the World March of Women. Delegates began arriving in Washington yesterday, carrying with them their cooking utensils for noise-making in front of the World Bank and IMF and suitcases bulging with signatures in support of the world demands, after what was for most, many hours spent in travel.

Françoise Sipa Caillard is here from New Caledonia. There, women are participating in the march with the slogan "Women of the Pacific, in Solidarity" to underline women's desire to stand united, regardless of their differences, so that no one is left on the margins of society. It is the Kanak custom (indigenous population of New Caledonia), when one arrives at someone else's home, to ask permission before speaking, accompanying this request with an act of humility. They make an offering of a yam or a piece of cloth called the "Manou," symbolizing an exchange. In every commune, representatives of associations and women's movements involved in the March made a symbolic offering of a piece of "Manou" (each commune used the same kind of cloth) with their demands.

On October 18, the women of New Caledonia will march to the Place Moselle in Nouméa. In spite of all the obstacles, says Françoise, they are determined that the public will hear yesterday the words of the united women of the Pacific.

Many delegates have not yet arrived. There are various reasons for this: Today, European delegates are holding their regional rally in Brussels. Many women are absent due to lack of funds; others were refused an American visa. For the Palestinian delegation, it is the armed conflict.

All these items are on the agenda for the women who have already arrived, in addition to putting the finishes touches on preparations for the various political meetings of the international delegation (World Bank, IMF and the UN). Hard work is punctuated with smiles and good humour. On Sunday they will march for the first time in every language in the streets of Washington. They are determined to show the full extent of their anger.

"We've come to Washington to denounce the role the IMF and the WB have played in our countries!" explained a delegate from Tunisia.