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In defense of Afghan women
News from Central Asia was more sporadic. The campaign to assist Afghan women, who have been silenced, censured, denied freedom of speech, access to education, and full citizenship, was conducted outside the country. Lifting her burqa in the October 17 meeting at the UN, an Afghan woman denounced arms trafficking and the dominance of economic interests over all others. "Nowhere are the devastating effects of this toxic combination more evident than in Afghanistan," she said.
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The situation of Afghan women is denounced on the march in Washington, October 15, 2000.
(Photo Joane Mc Dermott) |
On September 11, 2001, the situation of Afghan women suddenly took centre stage. All women's movements condemned the attacks, called for peace and mobilized to increase efforts to defend women in this country.
Women's resistance groups in neighbouring countries, Pakistan, in particular, have waged this campaign from the beginning. Violence and the social condition of women were the focus of actions conducted in this country.
In New Zealand, women of the teachers' union initiated a project known as NZEI Te Riu Roa or "Water to Learn." The goal of this project is to finance safe drinking water for a school or children's centre in the Pacific. Freed of the task of fetching water, girls have the time to go to school.
In New Caledonia, the March was a means of expression for Kanak women. |
In New Caledonia, women circulated a "manu," (a piece of cloth) coloured yellow, like the sun, to symbolize the voices of women. This action continued in 2001, centering on five demands: the creation of a women's centre in each commune, universal family benefits, a network of universally accessible day care services, an awareness-raising campaign on sexual equality, and the creation of status of women committees in all the Island's institutions. |
In Fiji, where there was a coup d'état in 2000, women concentrated on gathering signatures.
Finally, Australian women carried out a wide variety of actions: music and dance festivals, picnics, and a virtual bus tour on wife assault. Women denounced poverty, calling for "fair trade," and they demanded the respect of labour rights and a denuclearized Pacific.
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