4th International Meeting - News

Daily News of the 4th International Meeting

21 March 2003

Planned topics for the fourth day of the meeting were:

1. Declaration of Values
2. Proposal on structure
3. Regional actions

We began the session with a report of last night’s discussion on the title of the proposed charter. This issue needed more debate because not enough time was given to it during the day. Representatives of 12 countries were involved in this discussion.

After the report, we began the discussion on the contents and context of the Declaration of Values. The text was presented to the delegates who then worked very hard to make it acceptable for all regions. Discussion on amendments concerning the Declaration of Values continued during the day.

There were many different interpretations due to the intercultural and linguistic diversity of participants coming from different countries and regions of the world. These discussions were very important to enable clarity and understanding among all delegates. The Declaration of Values was finally adopted.

During the lunch break, women discussed regional actions and future plans. Representatives met and discussed proposals for joint projects addressing common problems in the regions. We agreed to have a future regional meeting and work for more efficient coordination.

In the afternoon session we made proposals on structure and discussed the action proposal to hold relay marches.

There was a social event organized in the evening in which all the delegates had the chance to enjoy a program of Indian culture, dance and music.

Anja Sehic, Representative
Serbia and Montenegro

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20 March 2003

“HEY HEY U.S.A HOW MANY KIDS DID YOU KILL TODAY ?”

Traffic and work came to a stand still at midday in New Delhi today in front of the United States Information Services (USIS) as countless cameras and microphones sought to document a moment in history.

Delegates attending the IVth International Meeting of the World March of Women in New Delhi had congregated to voice their anguish and protest at the U.S. Govt’s bombing of Iraq which began this morning. Women of varied hues and sizes, representing over 35 countries held hands and demonstrated that there still is a part of humanity, which believes in the right to life and freedom for all. Slogans in Spanish, French, English, and Hindi amongst other languages rent the air, saying “No to War” and Yes to Peace, in unison.

Diane Matte, the Coordinator of the World March of Women said that the proposed bombing had been an issue of deep concern and discussion for women in the meeting from the 18th of March itself, when the conference began. The rally today was a spontaneous reaction of the women to show solidarity with other social and peace movements across the world protesting against the bombing which began this morning. The slogans being chanted amply demonstrated the understanding of the women of the hidden political and economic agendas behind the fascist actions of the U.S. Govt and its allies. “No blood for oil” said one poster, whilst another said “Women want peace and bread for sustainable development”.

It was interesting to see the large number of police deputed to keep the demonstration in control. Their presence did not deter the enthusiasm of the women though. They sang songs of peace; reiterated their commitment to freedom and democracy; and distributed copies of their declaration against the U.S Govt’s war in Iraq to media, police and passerby alike.

“We cannot stand by and watch; it is our world, our responsibility”, the women seemed to say as curious crowds stopped to watch and listen. History was also a mute spectator to yet another protest, yet another demonstration, against yet another war. The effort to create another world, resurfaced again today, to give hope to those who recognised it.

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19 March 2003

The second day of the 4th International Meeting of the WMW started wit a moment of silence for the mother of NAWO president Ruth Manorma who passed away this morning. This was followed by a prayer and chant by the delegate of the indigenous woman from Quebec.

A draft statement on the US war against Iraq was read out by a member of the drafting team. The delegates proposed amendments to the statement and decided through votation on the issues that have to be included in the statement. The drafting team will finalize the statement considering the proposals and present this to the body for final approval.

The situation of women and the status of the different regions was shared by the rapporteurs of the different regional caucuses. The March has been visible in almost all parts of the world in varying degrees. The March has been able to mobilize women on the issues of violence against women, poverty and globalisation.

The Follow-up Committee and the Working Groups reported to the body the activities and developments since the 2001 Meeting. The March has actively participated in major international movements such as the World Social Forum. It has also sustained the work on Alert Network, communications and production of newsletters. The Working Groups, despite some limitations has been able to define a common understanding and strategy.

A discussion in the proposals followed presenting the strategies. The body divided into language based workshops to discuss the plan of actions 2005.

The day ended with a sharing of the situation of the lesbian women in India.

Annelyn DeLuna
Thailand

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A CELEBRATION WITH A DIFFERENCE

“Holi” was celebrated differently by some. Almost 100 women representing 36 countries from all over the world came together this morning at the 4th international World March of Women, being held at the Convention Centre of the Jamia Hamdard University Campus. With the reverberation of drums and the throwing of red, green and pink gula in the air, women danced to the rhythm of the Dhole and unitedly made a call for the “Humanization of the Planet.”

The event, co-hosted by NAWO and AIDWA is an attempt to bring women together and collage thoughts, experiences and strategies about the status of women from all over the world. This is the first time that the World March is being held in a country from the Global South and the event will continue till Saturday 22 March, when it will culminate in a rally at the Feroz Shah Kotla Ground.

Since proceedings began this morning, women from Jordan, Rwanda, Canada, and India have all passionately been demanding n end of the US call for war against Iraq. No body in this audience needs convincing though. Protests against the proposed US military action in Iraq have dominated discussions the entire day. There can be no mistaking the sincerity of their intentions and anguish is writ large on all the faces in the convention centre. Stalwarts from India like Dr. Veena Mazumdar, and representatives from women’s organizations across the country have all had but one plea to make “We just stand clearly for democracy and restored the authority of UN. The world cannot afford a war and a war in the 21st century with all its nuclear manifestations would cause irreparable harm; damage which perhaps most of us cannot even comprehend.”

Mr. Bush, are you listening? When representatives of 50% of the world’s population, i.e., representatives of the World March of Women movement, in agreement with social movements from all over the world, are stating that world peace is a non-negotiable, then where does your moral sanction of war come from?

In a press release issued by Shashi Sail on behalf of the World March of Women, it was shared that women from all over the world are going to spontaneously fill the streets in front of the United States Information Service and demonstrate against the proposed US action in Iraq on Thursday from 1 p.m. onwards. The mood here is despondent but not defeated. Nobody feels that every action taken would drill more sense into the heads of the powers that be, but everyone agrees that the effort to make a difference must be made. It is with this hope that the congregation at the World March will march on the roads on Thursday, 20 March 2003.

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18 March 2003

There were three highpoints on this first day of the 4th international meeting.

There was the opening of the meeting. Chaired by Diane Matte, World March of Women coordinator, the opening was punctuated by several speeches. First, the coordinator welcomed the international and national delegates; she then invited spokeswomen from the two Indian women’s associations who are co-hosting the meeting to address the assembly.

Then Veena Majumdar, a renowned figure of the Indian women’s movement was called on to speak as the mother of the movement. She is fondly called Veenadi (elder sister). Ms Majumdar reviewed the current global context, looked back on the women’s movement in India and concluded by saying that she placed her hope in today’s movement. It should be noted that Veena Majumbar is 76 years old and has seen much water flow under the bridge.

The Follow-up Committee of the World March then said a word of welcome to delegates, including a call to action in response to the imminent war on Iraq.

The floor was then given to representatives of Indian women’s organizations to present an overview of the Indian women’s movement. I retained these points from their interventions:

There are divergent tendencies in the women’s movement (just like everywhere else!). Together, these differences constitute the strength of Indian women.

We share common problems (like false ‘matriarchal’ societies).

The issues of communalism and fundamentalism are still very present in India, resulting in violence and obstacles.

The section of the meeting concerning the adoption of the agenda and the minutes of the 3rd international meeting did not generate much debate.

The afternoon was devoted to discussions in regional caucuses. The African caucus, composed of three countries (Burkina, Rwanda and Sudan), had a very productive and enriching discussion on our national gains (for example, in Rwanda, the national budget analysis actions, coordinated action among countries in the Great Lakes Region; in Burkina, the constitution of the WMW body as an autonomous legal entity; lobby for equality in taxation (women are considered as having no dependents). We reviewed what has happened with the World March in neighbouring countries. Finally we came up with proposals for future actions:

• reflect about the “added value” of the WMW (for example, hold training sessions before or after international meetings to strengthen women’s competencies;
• concentrate on common and priority concerns;
• support the major world regions with their concerns (for example, NEPAD in Africa);
• etc.

The day kicked off with a welcome of flowers, dancing, drumming and colours. It ended with political street theatre illustrating the problems of education and traditional ways.

The first day concluded with song of hope, precursor to four days of accumulating victories for the 4th international meeting.

Ouedraogo Awa Dabire
Coordinator of the Burkina Faso Coordinating Body