Launch of the Charter - March 8, 2005 - India

“We have just concluded a very exciting 10 days, March 4 to 12, when the World March Charter was launched in the different states.

Launch of the Charter : In India too, The Women’s Global Charter for Humanity was launched along with the Women’s Day activities in 6 states, i.e. Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal and Maharashtra. The Charter was translated into 5 regional languages (Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, Oriya & Bengali) and disseminated to all the participant organizations, government officials, trade unions, media and libraries.

In Dumka, a district in the state of Jharkhand, the launch of the Charter was announced with the beating of drums by a rape victim and lighting of the candle along with the Superintendent of Police (S.P.), Dumka amidst much jubilation. The participants were Advocates, Lecturers, Eminent Journalists, members of People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) and other delegates from people’s organizations, women’s organizations and supporters.

This launch of Charter was jointly organized by NAWO – WMW & PUCL, Dumka in Jharkhand.

At another launch organized in the state of Madhya Pradesh, the Charter was launched among 250 women from the neighboring villages, by beating drums and lighting a candle (diya) on March 11th. The launch was attended by State officials, representatives of Human Resource Development (H.R.D.) Ministry at District level and the Municipal Corporation. There were representatives of Rural Development Wing of the University, Members of various women organizations, and people’s organizations at the State level. The victims of rape, molestation, and domestic violence handed over their case studies to the concerned government officials present at the program. The government officials studied each case and gave their recommendations.

Yet, in another state, the launch was announced on March 12 by the blowing of conch shell and applying color on each other. About 150 women from women’s organizations & people’s organizations focused on the issue of liquor demanding prohibition of liquor sale in their villages. The women had a dialogue with the Collector on the need to impose a ban on the sale of liquor. The women opposed the presence of liquor shops in their villages.

Launch of the Charter in Bilaspur District, Chhattisgarh State.

In the different states where the Charter was launched, women were honoured for their struggles for justice and for setting an example to other women in similar situations.

At almost every launch, the women and government officials present took a pledge to end violence against women and create a New World. A Signature Campaign in support of the Charter was also carried out.” Shashi Sail, WMW India

March and Public Meeting organized by Society of Women in Action for Total Empowerment – SWATE, Women Movement Against Poverty and Violence – T.N- Women MAPOVI-T.N, World March Women – WMW

1. Introduction

SWATE and Women MAPOVI TN see March 8,2005 – International Women’s Day as unique and more significant event as WMW is completing its 5^th year of action against poverty and violence.

2. Women’s Global Charter for Humanity

We translated the Women’s Global Charter for Humanity into Tamil and circulated to 422 NGO’s, women groups, federations, organizations, movements and women activists in Tamil Nadu on February 15th, 2005.

3. International Women’s Day March and public meeting

Around 4500 women of SWATE and Women MAPOVI TN took a big march on International Women’s day, which was flagged off and started by Prof. Saraswathi, Human Rights writer and activist.

4. International participation

A team of six Belgians from 11.11.11., a Belgian Umbrella organization, who are members of WMW – Belgium joined us in the march and expressed their solidarity. It is remarkable that representatives from the same organization were with SWATE when we launched WMW in March 8, 2000.

During the march women kept waving blue ribbons, as a mark of being in empathy with the Tsunami affected people and for protecting the environment, insisted the Governments to adopt the values mentioned in the Women’s Global Charter for Humanity, in their programs and policies. The March was very powerful and expressive.

5. Release of Women’s Global Charter for Humanity

Ms. Griet Dobbelaere, Member of World March Women, Belgium, released Women’s Global Charter for Humanity. Ms. Christi Samy, National Coordination Committee member – NAWO – WMW gave the introductory speech.

Women endorsing the Global Charter with thumb prints

As an act of signing the charter, women who participated in the March and Public meet put their thumb impression / handprints in different colors on a large white cloth, displayed in the exhibition with the thrust of the charter written on it. Sixty women who gathered from five different organizations who participated in the human chain formed during 1 hour, at noon.

Launching of Women’s Global Charter for Humanity was done by Ms.Leelavathi - Pengal Porattha Khuzhu. She spoke on issues related and faced by the Tsunami victims followed by sharing from women affected in the Tsunami.

Josephine explained the livelihood rights of women and explained the women’s demands through this charter on humanity and explained the core values of the charter as equality, freedom, solidarity, peace and justice.