THE WORLD MARCH OF WOMEN: The countdown begins!

(Montreal, november 12, 1999)
More than 60 women, including 40 delegates from all over the globe, met in Montreal from November 3-7, 1999 to put the finishing touches on the actions planned for the World March of Women in the Year 2000.

In Montreal, New York, Geneva and other major cities, March 8, 2000, is the official launch date of the World March and the start of a global signature campaign in support of our 17 world demands. Between March 8, and October 17, 2000, millions of signed cards will be sent to the UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan.

On October 15, 2000, representatives of countries participating in the World March of Women will be in Washington, D.C., participating in a massive demonstration organized by the American women’s movement. The international representatives will be denouncing the disastrous impact on women of policies created by the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. They also want to meet with the directors of these institutions.

On October 17, 2000, the same representatives, joined we hope, by millions of women will march in the streets of New York to the world headquarters of the United Nations. It is the women’s firm hope to meet with the Secretary General; a letter requesting this has already been sent to him.

The Fédération des femmes du Québec (Quebec Federation of Women) and the coordinating committee of the March consider this week’s meeting to have been an outstanding success. Women from five continents were able to weave together bonds of solidarity to strengthen them in their common struggle against poverty and violence against women.