ARGENTINA***SANTA FE Murals on three walls over the weekend. 8 March is first school day after summer break: mass leafleting of schools with "Every mother if a working mother. The women in your home must join the Global Women’s Strike." Press release showing women’s triple working day: baking, growing food, carpentry, healthcare. Request of audience with Kirchner, President of the republic.***Activities also in BUENOS AIRES & CORDOBA.

BELGIUM***6 March Women's organisation of Belgian Party of Labour (PTB) subscribe to Strike platform for their International Women's Day activities.

BOLIVIA***EL ALTO***8 March Federation of Women in El Alto on hunger strike. They were key to last year’s "Gas War" which stopped the US stealing Bolivia’s gas and forced the right wing president Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada to resign. They say: "We are against war which kills many innocent people, and the extreme poverty that kills us, our children and old people of malnutrition. The politics of outside governments impoverish us with their corruption. We demand: No to arms - Invest in caring not killing. No to the globalization of violence. No to invasion without cause. Our cause is a common one: we fight for a life with dignity and a more just society."

CANADA***VICTORIA, British Columbia Womyn's Walkout 8 March, 10.30 am and a series of walkouts throughout the year for "The 3 Rs: Reinstate! All that has been cut. Replace! The punitive, inadequate welfare system with a Guaranteed Livable Income. Resign! All Liberal dictators who have lied and endangered the public must resign."

ENGLAND***LONDON 6 March, 9 am and 1 pm Street theatre: "Welcome to Fortress Europe" performed by asylum seekers and others. 3-6 pm, Trafalgar Square, "Women put the government on trial for crimes at home & abroad". Sponsored by the Iraqi Women's League and the All African Women's Group. Blair, Bush, Sharon and other State figures will be charged with war crimes, murder, rape, conspiracy, criminal negligence, robbery with violence, child abuse +.***7 March Theatre workshop led by women with disabilities from Enabling Theatre***9 March Video showing: "Venezuela: a 21st century revolution"***10 March "No Pride in the Slaughter of Others", community antiwar picket in Parliament Square hosted by Wages Due Lesbians***11 March Press conference: "End Bonded Labour & Slavery of millions of women"***12 March "Refusing to Kill – An evening with refuseniks from around the world" by Payday a network of men participating and working with the Strike***"An afternoon of food, music & dance" hosted by the All African Women's groups***Local library near Crossroads Women's Centre, where the international Strike is co-ordinated, will have a photo exhibition, and businesses in the area are offering free or discounted services for women on 8 March.***8 - 12 March Homeopaths will hold a series of sessions to introduce women to homeopathy.***Strike speakers, stalls and video showings at COVENTRY Afro-Caribbean Society and MANCHESTER University. Workshop at GLASTONBURY***LIVERPOOL 8 March, demonstration by Women from the "Frock Off festival organisation against patriarchy and capitalism.

FRANCE***PARIS Strike statement from women in Droits Devant, an organisation of "sans papiers", immigrants, refugees and their supporters.

GERMANY***BERLIN 6 March "concentrated discussion" in a Women's Café with Strike speaker from London; speakers and stall at International Women's Day party.***8 March outdoor "grand protest" for " welfare instead of unpaid work and rearmament" with live music, performances, speakers, and stalls from different women's groups.***FRANKFURT 8 March Strike video.

GHANA***ANUM The Peoples' Education Association: "It is obvious that the strikes held in previous years are having a positive impact on the entire people of Anum. We hope about 75% of women and girls will participate this year."
Message to National Coalition on Domestic Violence on legislation in Ghana

GUYANA***GEORGETOWN Launch of "Crossroads Women’s Centre" office of Red Thread and the Global Women’s Strike. Exhibition of leaflets and photos on the Strike. Reading corner. Placards with Strike demands, history. A place for women to register their interest and commitment. Activities:11 am - 12.30 pm: clinic with nutritionist. 12.30 pm-1.30 pm: snacks. 1.30 pm – 3.00 pm: Venezuela video to show and support what grassroots women have won next door.

INDIA***Strike on website www.majhimaitrin.com. Trade Union INTUC, Womens Cell, 4-day programme and open forum with the theme Invest in Caring Not Killing. Will present awards for women and organizations "working for women from no/low income group".***RAIPUR and ORISSA***12, 14 March, FFDA (Forum for Fact-finding Documentation & Advocacy) holding a convention of married girls and women demanding end to child marriage. Five hundred married girls aged 3-15 are expected to come with their mothers, making a total of 1000 girls and women. "Our local demands integrate Strike global theme. For example, if the defense budget of India for 2004 is used for country's education, it will cover education in all villages, liberating girls, women and poor sections, ending/reducing exploitation and discrimination." Roadshow, demonstrating their demands; inviting wives of governor and minister.

IRELAND***CORK 6 March, Mayfield, Strike Workshop at the Grassroots Gathering, "Reclaim Shannon and Global Military Budgets".***11 March, Making War on Our Common Heritage and Our Sisters and Brothers in Iraq, Lecture at University College by Maggie Ronayne, Strike co-ordinator. Hosted by UCC Archaeological Society.***DUBLIN 7 March, 11 am - 8 pm Mountjoy Women's Jail (Dochas Centre) All-day celebration with the women prisoners. 8 March, 12 noon Dept of Health & Children, Hawkins House, Hawkins Street, protest against the double standards of government cutbacks in the health service combined with its support for Bush's illegal war and the armament industry.***GALWAY***7 March, 3.30pm, Town Hall Theatre, Women and Men Put the Government on Trial! including for collusion with Thieves, Murderers, Warmongers, Arms Dealers Bush and Blair who Want to Rule the World.***8 March, Tuam Women’s Group celebrates and endorses the Strike.***9 March, 10am-12noon, Anti-War Class, Women's Studies Centre, Newcastle Road, National University of Ireland. All welcome.***10 March, 1-2pm Mill Street Garda Station, weekly Strike Community Picket Against War, Occupation and Deportation (every Wednesday for past year)***SHANNON AIRPORT 8 March, 1pm, women's picket & other activities to reclaim Shannon Airport from the US Military. Meet Archway [site of 2003 peace camp]. The Strike has consistently demonstrated there, support from residents and airport workers. Also 28th February, 11.30 am - 1.30pm Daily until Saturday 6 March Global Women's Strike, a week of Special Radio FM102 – A Women in Media & Entertainment Initiative.

ITALY***ROME Welfare International Association. A. sit-in in front of the Senate. Pressing for global Strike demands and the separation of State and church, end financing of religions which oppress women.

KENYA***Kimilili Integrated Development Education Program holding workshops focusing on rape of young women and little girls, higher sentences for rapists, and sensitizing the chiefs in their district.

MEXICO***MEXICO CITY and OAXTEPEC CITY Activities by the Collective for Wages for Housework and for Raising Children on what housework means for society.***Women's National Coordination for Training and Self-Development organising actions in different states to change women's position in society. They are pressing for someone from their group to be a candidate for the municipal presidency.

NEPAL***Prisoners Assistance Nepal "celebrate in the women's centre prisons by holding a day of talks about caring and helping people."

NEW ZEALAND***AUCKLAND International Women's Day Committee will inform about the Strike on the day. Their leaflet demands "MONEY FOR CARING, NOT KILLING: New Zealand forces out of Afghanistan, Iraq and the whole War of Terror. Money for schools and hospitals, not soldiers and spies. Oppose the ongoing occupation and war in Iraq. Free women in Iraq and Palestine. For a secular democratic Palestinian state. A just income for all caring

workers, paid and unpaid. The right to strike for caring workers. Extended paid parental leave and free quality childcare."

PERU***PUNO Centro Cultural Aymara Pacha Aru coordinating Indigenous women activities.***LIMA***Domestic Workers Centre (CCTH),***From 3 March participation in panels in the Council, Congress and Women’s Ministry.***7 March CCTH Centre, 10 am, Jr Walkulski 132, Political and cultural event where grassroots women’s organisations will present their demands – domestic workers, rural women, factory workers, single mothers, unemployed women: "The economy minister defends multinationals which pay nothing while we women are impoverished. His plans benefit the US and the IMF which want total control of all natural resources. We say No to the debt. Invest in caring not killing. We oppose all forms of discrimination against women and reject US policies of debt, Free Trade Agreement, colonialism and globalisation. Implement Law 27986 on domestic workers’ rights."

SPAIN***ALICANTE 8 March Collective activities in:***Benimasot The mayor proposed that the brooms not only be put out upside down on the balconies to show women were on strike but hung from the lampposts at the entrance of the town.***Cocentaina Demonstration in front of town hall with a stoppage of the workers and the mayor, reading of Strike call (in Valencian catalan) to street assembly. Radio programme La Voz de Comtat broadcasting international actions and interview the Collective.***Facheca 6 March Stoppage and reading of Strike call as part of International Women's Day celebrations.***BARCELONA Strike coordination Wages for Housework Campaign: 6 March A night of demands and celebration: "For a Caring Economy: demanding the military budget for basic human needs. Grassroots women speak out: mothers, housewives, domestic workers, immigrant women, women with disabilities, widows, squatters, teachers, lesbian women, sex workers, women defending the right to demonstrate . . . What would we spend the military budget on?" Defending the achievements of the Venezuelan revolution – women have won recognition of housework as an economic activity which creates wealth; housewives have the right to social security; women headed families have priority in the redistribution of land***Performances by rappers, pop and rock groups, dance, drums and fire***Videos of women on strike across the world***African, Catalan, Philippine and vegetarian food***Stage decorated with banners in six languages.***12 March "Defending Venezuelan women – video of Nora Castañeda, President of the Women’s Development Bank, speaking about creating a caring economy in Venezuela". Latin America House. With support from the Venezuelan consul.***MALAGA Sant Girola 8 March International Women's Association of Costa del Sol is having a stall collecting signatures for Invest in Caring, Not Killing petition in front of Casa de la Cultura and on 9 March in the local market.***Activities also in Bilbao organised by Lanbroa.

USA***LOS ANGELES 5 March 7pm Film Premiere: "Women the Heart of Venezuela's Revolution" + music, art & discussion in the spirit of Zapatismo. Fundraiser for Casa del Pueblo & Global Women's Strike. Casa del Pueblo, 1498 Sunset Blvd. March 6th, 1-5 pm, Fandango + Music, Dance & Speakout by those who have loved ones in Iraq. Outside East Side Café, 5469 Huntingdon Dr. North, El Sereno.***8 March 7pm Music, Spoken Word. S/11 Families for Peaceful Tomorrows, Military Families Speak Out, Veterans. Immanuel Presbyterian Church, 3300 Wilshire Blvd. ALSO Gather at 5 pm outside church, vigil to honor every individual killed by war, poverty and other violence around the world.***PHILADELPHIA 6 March 3-5 pm, Robin's Bookstore, 108 S. 13th St "Refusing to Kill: an afternoon with refusers". Coordinated by Payday & the Strike. With: Stephen Funk, a gay Marine of Filipino & Native American descent just out of jail for refusing to go to Iraq; Rev. Dorothy Mackey, Exec Director of Survivors Taking Action Against Abuse by Military Personnel, former US Air Force Captain and Commander, multiple rape & military abuse survivor; a video of Israeli refusenik Asaf Shtull-Trauring; & Military Families Speak Out. Also Speakout by women who have loved ones in Iraq or lost family members in 9/11 & others. Donations Welcome $3-$10 - no one turned away!***8 March Rally to "Defending a Caring Economy" protest against US intervention in Haiti and Venezuela; demand that women in the US and everywhere win recognition of our unwaged contribution to the economy, & other rights women in Venezuela have won. 12 noon outside the Phila Stock Exchange 19th & Market Sts.***SAN FRANCISCO 8 March, 3:30-5:30 "Defending A Caring Economy", protest against US intervention in Haiti and Venezuela with puppets banners and placards, outside Federal Building, 450 Golden Gate Avenue. Film clips after protest.***WASHINGTON DC 1 March, 11:30am Protest vs. OAS & US intervention in Venezuela. Called by Congreso Bolivariano de los Pueblos, outside Office of American States, 17th & Constitution Ave. Followed by Strike-led protest outside the offices of US News & World Report for its inaccurate & biased reporting on Venezuela.***From Death Row, Mumia Abu Jamal sent a moving statement of support for the Strike. "A movement involving women in some sixty countries many involved in grassroots organizations, fighting for payment for housework, for clean safe water resources, for housing, education, gender justice, and peace, in a world where war is now our norm, the global women's strike is part of the vast throng against war and occupation, not only in Iraq, but in Palestine, in Columbia, in the Congo and in Kashmir. Their organizing slogan, which unites strikers from a broad array of struggles, is deceptively simple: 'Invest in Caring not Killing.' Although the movement had its beginning years ago in the '[Wages] for Housework' movement in England, it has grown considerably into a worldwide antiracist and antiwar movement. The movement recognizes the basic inequality built into the capitalist economic system. The class, racial and gender based exploitation underlying it all." For full statement www.prisonradio.org/mumia.html

VENEZUELA***BARQUISIMETO & CARACAS Strike message of support for women’s gains and against US intervention for International Women’s Day event.***YARACUY Women’s event in La Virgen and other rural communities.