Next steps for the International Action are debated in South Africa
Between the 17th and 20th of April, the members of the WMW
International Committee , from Africa (Mali and South Africa), Americas
(Brazil and Quebec), Asia (Philippines and Pakistan) and Europe
(Galicia and Switzerland) have met in Simonstown, Cape Town, in their
first meeting of the year. The meeting also had the participation of
Josée Kusinza, from the Democratic Republic of Congo, and of Hester
Stephens, president of SADSAWU (South African Domestic Service and
Allied Workers Union). The cancelation of flights coming from Europe,
due to the volcano eruption in Iceland, made impossible for the member
of Mexico (Gladys Alfaro) to arrive, as well as two interpreters coming
from France and the Spanish State.
An enthusiasm was felt in the
balance of the first actions that have launched our 2010 action in
March, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the international women’s
day of struggle. Until that day, from the 52 countries that had informed
they would have activities in this period, 45 had already sent pictures
or a written report of what they had done.
Although a stronger
and systematic register of the actions carried out is still necessary,
and although the fact that we’re in the middle of the action, some
positive points were already perceived, such as: the increase of the
work with several women’s groups, the enhance of the relationship with
women from mixed movements, the enlargement of youth participation and
the fact that, in many countries, the action of the WMW has contributed
to the renovate the feminist approach in the media. Some challenges were
also identified such as having actions in political contexts marked by
conflicts and by systemic crises, which generates ideological changes
and makes it more difficult the access to resources. It has also been
observed the need to organize more debates and seminars to deepen issues
and elaborate national demands regarding each action area. The
regional meetings will be another moment to deepen such debates.
Toward
the Democratic Republic of Congo (RDC)
The expectation is that around 1.000 people will participate in
the closing mobilization of the 2010 International Action, in Bukavu,
DRC. With the aid of the presentation made by Josée Kusinza regarding
the social, economic and political scenery of the country, as well as
the report of the local preparation, the IC debated goals, program,
international mobilization, follow up to the local preparation, funding
and priorities. The program of the closing act, among other activities,
is composed of panels, food sovereignty fair, table of debates with
authorities, creation of a memorial, planting of trees, workshops and
artistic activities. A methodology commission should finalize, soon, the
program details.
In this moment, the International Secretariat (S)
is doing the pre-registration of the participants of the countries. Face
to the infrastructure limitations (housing, space for events) and also
because of security matters, the IC decided that all participation in
the closing act must be organized in communication with the WMW National
Coordinating Bodies. It’s been emphasized the need to continue
including in the delegations journalists, health professionals and
activists with languages skills to support the event.
Further information about the DRC will be soon available in the
website www.mmm2010.info.
If you have doubts concerning the pre-inscription, please write to the email bukavu@marchemondiale.org.