|
Global Women's Strike - Spain 2002 Prostitute women have joined the Strike who have been organising against recent government proposals to legalise prostitution which would make them pay taxes without getting rid of all the discrimination sex workers face. The Strike has been incorporated as an activity in the anti-globalisation actions against the Europe of Capital and War (8-16 March) (European Union Heads of State meet in Barcelona). Barcelona - 8 March press conference in the Plaza Sant Jaume will include immigrant women, women with disabilities, widows, church women, mothers, lesbian women, sex workers, domestic workers, housewives, students . . . Ejea de Los Caballeros, Zaragoza – As in previous years women are gathering for activities and reading a manifesto. They have the support of the local council’s women’s committee. This year they will demonstrate through the main street. Fuerteventura, Canary Islands – Women’s Association ANIAGA is circulating information and holding a public meeting, with workshops and talks on 8 March. Ubeda, Jaen – on 5 March the trade union CGT has organised people to stick up posters and will do a press release about issues affecting local women. On the evening of 7 March public showing of Strike video and debate at the Hospital of Santiago de Ubeda. Gathering at the same hospital on the 8th. The Wages for Housework Campaign in Barcelona again co-ordinating the Strike. Core organizers include older, immigrant and lesbian women, housewives, domestic workers and mothers. Main Plaza San Jaime in Barcelona will be "occupied" from midday to midnight. They have again won resources from the Council to hold a press conference for grassroots women to speak out against overwork and poverty, have musical performances, theatre, food from different countries. And there will be a crèche! Demands include: welfare benefits for all women, including immigrant women, at the (higher) level of other European countries, and for the government to implement the 2000 law to measure & value unwaged work in national accounts. In Spanish an updated collection of men's statements and anti-war article from London lesbian magazine were part of their mailing. The local Federation of the CGT, one of three major trade unions, in Ubeda (Jaén) wants the 27-minute video of Strike 2000 (now with Spanish subtitles), the short video "Why go on Strike?", the radio jingle, and Red Jenn’s Strike song. They’re in touch with women in villages and towns. In the region Alcoia-Comtat y Muro women dressed up as Mothers of the Disappeared from Argentina, with placards demanding "Invest in Caring Not Killing" and pensions for their lifetime’s work. In Bilbao in the BASQUE COUNTRY the Feminist Collective LANBROA support Strike demands as in previous years. They’re calling a one-hour stoppage and demonstration, followed by a women’s meal. Other organizations supporting their demonstration including Izaera, Nerea del Servicio Municipal del Ayuntamiento de Gernika, and the CGT of Bilbao. Other Strike activities planned in the Canary Islands, Córdoba, Jaen, Sant Guim de Freixenet (Catalunya).
Letter to the Assembly of the Campaign Against the Europe of Capital and War: 5 March 2002 |