| Men support the 2nd Global Women’s Strike |
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On 8 March 2000, women in 65 countries took part in a Strike to highlight their work, unwaged and waged, and claim back the wealth they have created. They are planning to strike again in 2001. Many men are supporting their action. Why? The reason they gave us was that the women in their lives – partner, wife, mother, daughter, sister, friends, colleagues – work too hard for too little, caring for men, children, family, the whole community. Women do 2/3 of the world’s work for 5% of the income and two-thirds of this work is unwaged. Without this work none of us would survive. Many men also told us that they also work too much for too little. Following women’s example, men have taken another look at the work – unwaged and waged – we are forced to do. And, like women, we don’t want to waste our time which – as the striking women put it – happens to be our lives. We have had enough of doing things we don’t want to do and not having time and money to do what we really want to do. We know it doesn’t have to be like that. There is more than enough wealth in the world to satisfy all our needs. And we know that by supporting women we have more power to get that wealth and change our lives. |
"Men
do unpaid work, too. But the great bulk of it is women's work. Where one person does the
housework, the preparation and the cooking and rearing the future work force, all this is
freeness to governments and business." |
Men from Argentina, Australia, Britain, Brittany, Canada, Guyana, India, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, The Philippines, Québec, South Africa, Uganda and the US supported the Global Women’s Strike on 8 March 2000. They did housework, including cooking, food preparation, childcare. They helped with transport, and with technical assistance with posters, sound systems, videos and computers. They translated leaflets and letters and publicised the Strike. Some performed at benefits and celebrations, while others participated in marches, actions and vigils organised by women.
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| Following women’s
example, some men from countries of the South and of the North have begun to describe the
unwaged work they do. Feel free to add to this list. voluntary work in national calamities and disasters $ writing and reading letters for those who are illiterate $ repairing village roads, community buildings, schools, clinics $ digging wells to get water $ opposing expulsions to make way for dam buildings or deforestation $ coping with famine $ defending your family against death squads or the military $ resisting torture $ fighting a war which only benefits the rich $ recovering from ill health, injuries or disabilities $ campaigning against bad food and pollution $ attending your children’s school meetings $ visiting relatives and friends at hospitals $ having to do national service $ winding down after the job and trying not to take out frustrations on women and children $ coping with noise, stress, dust, chemicals, radio-activity in the workplace and outside $ migrating to escape persecution or deprivation $ dealing with immigration officers $ learning new languages when you immigrate $ complaining to welfare agencies who want to cut your money $ squatting to win affordable housing $ working for free as prisoners $ doing time when you are innocent $ travelling long hours to and from jobs $ arguing with government officials, doctors, lawyers to get the information and resources you are entitled to $ coming out as gay to parents, at work, to friends, not only once but each day $ defending yourself against gaybashers, racists and other bigots$ to be continued . . . |
What
can men do to support the
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| ONE HOUR OF YOUR WAGES FOR THE GLOBAL WOMEN’S STRIKE
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Are you member
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| Issued by PAYDAY men’s network, organising with the Wages
for Housework Campaign for wages for all unwaged work
PO Box 287 London NW6 5QU, UK |
Men support the Global Women's Strike |
In