The WMW in Bamako

L'univers des Femmes (the Women's Universe), located in the City of the culture, at the South of Bamako, beyond the bridge of Marthyrs which spans Niger, was one of the 11 sites of the FSM Malian. This idea of a place dedicated to the women did not make, far from there, the unanimity ofAfrican feminist associations, and especially Malians.  From France, we had not understood that it was about a completely independent place which would make difficult, for those and those which are interested in priority with women's issues to attend the other debates... and to bring the dimension of the gender there.  Perhaps it was due to a lack of communication with feminist associations, but also the difficulty inherent in the organization of this Forum.

Actually it didn't prevent this space from being a real success, where gathered mostly African women originated of many country and there talked of concrte issues, their cause and consequence, but also of multiple project that the woman put in work to bring some solution.

Far from the usual speeches, the African feminist associative movement proved its vitality and its proximity with the women's grassroots movement.  During debates, women discussed about  the increasing difficulties women live in a continent which combines extreme poverty, specific violences and ancestral habits:  violences, excision, polygamy, prostitution,  wars, diseases, illiteracy. They reclaimed access to the land property and to housing; for a participative economy, to reinforce the capacities of the women,  to train women leaders;  for the respect of the international texts, etc.

The two WMW.s seminars co-organized by the Mali and Burkina Faso's coordinating bodies, "Women in movement change the world" and "Violences against women," joined together many people and were very appreciated.  We finally could see the entire Patchwork Quilt and it was impressive.

We also took part in the head office of the CAFO (Coordination of feminist associations from Mali), the coordinating body for Mali, at a meeting with representatives from Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Niger, Benin, Brazil, Italy, France and Belgium.  We exvhanged about the WSF's experience, the 2005 actions.

Nelly Martin, Franch Coordinating body of the WMW

In 2006 the world social Forum is "polycentric" or decentralized.  In Americas, it takes place in Caracas, Venezuela (January 24-29) and in Africa, in Bamako in Mali (January 19-23).  In Asia, it will be held in Karachi in Pakistan (dates to be confirmed).

As we did in the past, the World March of Women takes part in these forums. 

We organize the same workshop "Women in movement change the world" in each of the 3 forums.

Moreover, in Caracas, we take part in an international Court of the women against the patriarchal domination.  For its part, MMF-Colombia organizes a workshop on "Violence, debt, poverty and militarization:  a perverse relation ".

With the Network of the women for the transformation of economy (REMTE), we propose an exhibition and three panels:

- For an integration generating equality; 

- To transform the economy:  visions and feminist challenges; 

-  Defense of the knowledges of the women vis-a-vis the free trade

Many women will be present in Caracas, among them : the coordinators of the March in Cuba (Tamara Columbié), Mexico (Leonor Aída Concha), Peru (Rosa Guillén), and Québec (Michèle Asselin).

In Bamako, we we organize a workshop:  "Violence against women in times of war and occupation of Iraq". The coordinators of the March in Burkina Faso (Awa Ouedraogo), in Brazil  (Miriam Nobre) and in France (Nelly Martin) will be present, as well as  que Paola Manduca from Italy.

More information abour the WSF:

http://www.forumsocialmundial.org.br/

Women say NO to War !

Women say No to War

Among numerous groups present in Caracas, is Code Pink. Code Pink is mobilizing women around the globe to call for an end to the occupation and the violence in Iraq. "With the majority of people in Iraq, the U.S., the U.K., and around the world opposing this war, now is the time for women to step forward and make our opposition more visible and vocal.

With the launch of Women Say No To War Campaign, we are asking women around the world to sign on to the Women's Call for Peace. We hope to obtain a minimum of 100,000 signatures by International Women's Day on March 8, 2006, when US and Iraqi women will deliver these signatures to leaders in Washington DC and women around the world will deliver them to US embassies", Code Pink explains.

The World March of Women has endorsed this campaign.

More information: http://www.womensaynotowar.org