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STOP PRESS... STOP PRESS .... STOP PRESS DATE: 30 January 2004 Vanguard Foundation Announces $75,000 Grant for Grassroots Women in Venezuela The Vanguard Foundation (San Francisco) has announced it will make an unprecedented grant of $75,000 for the self-help activities for economic and community development of grassroots women in Venezuela. The announcement was made by Vanguard President Hari Dillon, during a January 29 event in San Francisco, where Nora Castaņeda, head of the Women's Development Bank of Venezuela, was speaking on "Creating a Caring Economy in Venezuela." The guest chair of the event, London based coordinator of the Global Women's Strike, said: "This is an unprecedented sum coming from a northern country to grassroots women in Latin America which we hope will set a new precedent. Up to now the money and resources have flowed from Latin America to the US. It is time to reverse that flow." Ms. Castaņeda was appointed by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to head the Women's Development Bank when he agreed to women's demands for a bank to benefit the poorest families and communities. Venezuela is the world's 5th largest oil exporter, yet 80 % of its people, mainly people of color, live in poverty. Ms. Castaņeda, who was involved in drafting the new Venezuelan constitution, which stands against discrimination of all kinds, says, "We women won our rights in the constitution. We won Article 88, which recognizes that housewives create added value and must be compensated with social security." Ms. Castaņeda is on a speaking tour of the United States that will also include Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington DC, Philadelphia, New York, and Boston. The Bolivarian Circle of the Global Women's Strike, with the support of the Venezuelan Embassy, is coordinating Ms. Castaņeda's US tour. Tour sponsors include: the Vanguard Foundation; KPFK Radio; Danny Glover; Harry Belafonte; Dolores Huerta; Ed Asner, San Gabriel and El Sereno Neighbors for Peace and Justice, Office of the Americas, ANSWER/LA, 2000+ Bookstore, and the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom. The Vanguard donation and other money raised during Ms. Castaņeda's tour will not go to the Women's Development Bank, but to grassroots women who are involved in self help. |