March 8th, 2008 - WMW Actions around the Women's International Day

Galicia: Street action with the slogan "NOT ONE STEP BACKWARDS, WOMEN CAN’T LOOSE THEIR RIGHTS“. A solidarity letter to the women sued for abortion in Madrid and in favour of a new abortion law was read. At night there was a feminist fair, with exhibition of books, arts, crafts, music, etc at the Narãn Youth Pavilion. More information: www.feminismo.info

Philippines: Press conference about prostitution organized by CATW-AP together with the survivors' group BKCI and the World March of Women. The event began with a presentation of cases of arrest of prostituted women on the basis of the vagrancy law. This was followed by a testimony from a survivor regarding how local policemen demand sexual favors in exchange for the women's freedom from imprisonment. 

Mexico: March in the streets on March 8^th, and after there was a reading of a solidarity letter in the Congress, elaborated by the WMW and Vía Campesina. They were concerned with the participants' safety, however an alert was put out on the radio and everything went well.

Nepal: Act for solidarity and support for the upcoming Constituent Assembly Election that will change from being a Federal Constitutional Monarchy to a Republic. It is an important step in achieving democracy in the country.

Kenya: Celebration of the March 8^th at Korogocho Primary School focused on eliminating sexual violence in Korogocho. The day included a prayer service for survivors, availability of lawyers to provide legal information on available assistance pro-bono & counsellors who also provide free care. A medico-legal camp was also held where women were encouraged to seek medical attention, and rape survivors who are not comfortable confiding in their locally based medical stations and clinics - due to the stigma that comes with rape – could talk privately to the counsellors who gave free counselling sessions, and helped them to seek free legal attention there after. In the 5Cs Theatre Group, a group of artists carried out peace performances, and performances revolving around the theme of the role of women in helping their community.

Portugal: The Portuguese Coordination accomplished a street action on the 8^th, where they gave publicity to the “arm bracelets” campaign and they had organised an animation group and “batucada” (feminist drumming group using recyclable materials for their instruments)

Great Lakes: Week of events with the participation of Rwanda, Burundi and Democratic Republic of Congo. The solidarity quilt was taken to the region and there were debates around that subject.

Haiti: Activity organized by SOFA with the participation of around 80 women from several areas of the country, debating social economy, land reform, etc

Mozambique: There was many activities like debates, exhibitions, round-tables, etc in the cities of Maputo, Nampula, Nhamai, Matola and Cidade da Beira.

Brazil: Street action in the city of São Paulo, with the presence of approximately 10.000 women, of all social segments. The manifestation begun at Ramos Square, in front of the Municipal Theatre and it proceeded downtown, in an organized and peaceful way.

In the city of Fortaleza an action was organised by the WMW and other organizations, with the presence of almost 800 women and animation by the feminist “batucada”. 

In Campo Grande, the 3rd Social Movements’ Action was held. The “batucada” was invited to give a presentation at the Theater Artur Azevedo.

In Porto Alegre there were several debate activities during the day.

In Pará there was an action in Reading Square in Ananindeua, with “batucada” and interventions, and a “batucada” workshop in the ‘Agrovila’ John the Baptist II in Castanhal.

More information:

http://omovimento.wordpress.com/

http://www.mmm-rs.blogspot.com/

http://www.sof.org.br/marcha/