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A woman’s place is in the struggle By Frankie Nash, AFL Women’s Committee When we talk about social justice and the problems that erode the good things in our world, violence and poverty are the two things that spring into our minds. The World Women’s March 2000 is an opportunity for the whole world to join hands and work together for change in our governments, our unions, our communities and our cultures to end violence and poverty worldwide. In 1995, the Bread and Roses March took place in Canada. For this march, a caravan travelled across the country carrying the message that too many people in our country and in the world are living in poverty. The Bread and Roses March was the first National March created to sensitize the nation on the issues of poverty and violence. And, thanks to the femmes de Quebec, the birth of The World Women’s March 2000 happened as a result of their efforts and the huge success of the Bread and Roses March. The theme of the World Women’s March 2000 is fighting violence and poverty. Beginning on March 8, International Women’s Day, the World Women’s March 2000 will begin and for the next 8 months, the key for the March will be to infuse these themes into every event that occurs worldwide. On October 17, the day for Eradication of Poverty, the March will be concluded with a huge rally in New York. The focus on the March in Canada is the building-up to a huge rally in Ottawa on October 15. This rally in Ottawa will be a culmination of events across the country to mobilize Canadians on the idea of ending violence and poverty in Canada and in the world. Political action is of huge importance in changing the rules around violence and poverty and although political change does not happen overnight, the World Women’s March 2000 will be the symbolism that society needs to know and understand that violence and poverty MUST end. The World Women’s March 2000 says: "Listen! This has got to stop!" As Union Activists, we believe that women’s issues are union issues. The history of labour in our country is built not only on our struggles to bring about justice for such social issues as violence and poverty but it is also build on the hard work and dedication of those who paved the path we travel. The history of labour in our country is also about building relationships – through organizing the unorganized, coalition partnerships, lobbying with other progressive-thinking people and defending the unprotected worker. And building relationships is the biggest attribute of the World Women’s March 2000. With more than 140 countries and 2000 groups on board with the March, this event will prove to be the vehicle that united the world with a beautiful idea: to end violence and poverty – period! The World Women’s March 2000 is breaking ground for women’s right to:
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