Women who raged against oppression

International Women’s Day is 8 March – Socialist Worker celebrates the day with some words from women who have led radical movements or fought for women’s liberation and socialism
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MARY WOLLSTONECRAFT 1759-1797
‘HOW MANY women thus waste life away the prey of discontent, who might have practised as physicians, regulated a farm, managed a shop, and stood [...]

Uganda’s President Museveni’s Speech at Women’s Day Celebrations

President Yoweri Museveni was the chief guest at this year’s celebrations to mark the the International Women’s Day, held at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds. Below is the speech in full.
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen. I salute all the women of Uganda upon this International Women’s Day. I, particularly, wish to congratulate the Ministry of [...]

Invest More in Women -VP Njie-Saidy Urges Gambia

Dr Aja Isatou Njie-Saidy, Vice President and secretary of state for Women’s Affairs has said that the attainment of the goal of gender equality and women’s empowerment not only in the Gambia but also in the world at large cannot be achieved without the availability of timely and adequate financil human resources and other resources.
According [...]

2008 International Women’s Day – Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture

For over 90 years, International Women’s Day has overcome cultural, linguistic and political barriers to unify people in the fight for human rights, equality, development and peace.
Endorsed by the United Nations, International Women’s Day marks a day for communities around the world to reflect on the social, political and legislative successes which have significantly [...]

Supporting women’s rights: A call to action

Speech by Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for International Development, to the Gender and Development Network
Thank you. I’d like to begin by saying what an honour it is to share a platform with Professor Gita Sen. I’m sure I speak on behalf of everyone in the room in saying that your passion for women’s rights [...]

Kathleen Lynch TD, Ireland’s Labour Party Spokesperson on Equality speech on International Women’s Day

Ireland falls further behind in the proportion of women in Parliament I am honoured to be here today to celebrate International Women’s Day and to support this project which is making such a contribution to community life.
It is a natural link.
Women have led and nourished community development in Ireland both historically and in [...]

Labour Women in Ireland launch International Womens’ Day poster

Sinead Ni Chulachain, Labour Women Chair, speaking ahead of the International Women’s Day on 8th March highlighted the fact that 18 per cent of the world’s parliamentarians are women, 82 per cent of the world’s decision makers are man. In Ireland the situation is worse – only 13 per cent of our TDs are women.
She [...]

PM marks International Women’s Day 8 March 2008

The Prime Minister has marked International Women’s Day 2008 by asking women’s business leaders for advice on how to support the “next generation” of successful women.
The PM and his wife were joined for a lunch reception at Number 10 by a range of guests including Oxfam CEO Barbara Stocking, Sun editor Rebekah Wade and women’s [...]

Taking stock on Women’s Day – Letters to the Guardian Saturday March 8 2008

Over the last few years we have seen the growth of “career” women, sharply suited and expertly “made up”, parading their feminism in the media. Glossy language about the gender pay gap oozes from politicians who ask us to vote for them because they are women. Now business is taking on the feminist baton (You’re [...]

Czech women activists reject connection of IWD with communism

Representatives of Czech women’s organisations and some Czech politicians reject International Women’s Day (IWD) being constantly connected in the Czech Republic with socialism and the totalitarian regime, they told CTK.
They said March 8 (on which International Women’s Day is celebrated) should remain a significant day in the Czech Republic to remind people of the [...]

On International Women’s Day, the Suffering of Palestinian Women Continues

On 8 March, the world celebrates International Women’s Day. This event is one of the most distinguished ones renewing support for women’s issued and their struggle for equality, and commitment to women’s enjoyment of all their rights in accordance with international standards and conventions.
The 8th of March comes this year upon Palestinian women as they [...]

ACTSA rally for democracy and dignity

Speech by Brendan Barber, TUC General Secretary in Trafalgar Square, 12 noon, Saturday 8 March 2008
Friends, comrades, brothers and sisters,
It is a pleasure to bring greetings from the TUC and the six and a half million workers we represent, and I am proud to offer our solidarity to the Zimbabwean people.
Proud to offer our backing [...]

Million Women Rise speech by Isla Arendell from the Women’s Institute

Why is it that the Government has yet to set a date by which they hope to end violence against women? It is, after all, our basic human right to be able to live free from violence and its threat.
Today, to mark International Women’s Day, we are here to stand strong and make our voices [...]

New commitments to tackle sexual and domestic violence on International Women’s Day (Home Office)

Ten of the 23 Specialist Domestic Violence Courts achieved a successful prosecution rate of over 70 per cent, with one reaching over 80 per cent and the remaining 12 achieving an average rate of 66 per cent according to a Review published today by the Government, as the Home Secretary announced almost £1 million of [...]

Million Women Rise Statement

There is a place, where words are born of silence,
Where whispers of the heart arise….
Rumi
The Million Women Rise Coalition expresses its sincere thanks to all the women who assisted in making the march and rally on 8 March 2008 in Central London a truly amazing, herstorical and successful event. Thousands of women joined the million [...]

IWD debates House of Lords and Commons and reference to Rape Crisis

International Women’s Day Debate in the House of Commons
A transcript of the debate can be read on the ‘they work for you’ web site at http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2008-03-06a.1931.0&m=1971
Extract re Rape Crisis Centres:
Barbara Follett (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Government Equalities Office)
“ … I must mention violence against women and, in particular, rape crisis centres. I am pleased that we have [...]

On this International Women’s Day, let us resolve to unite in this mission

UN calls on member states to ‘invest in women and girls
Noting that “progress for women is progress for all,” the United Nations is urging the world to invest in its women and girls.
In a statement released ahead of International Women’s Day, celebrated Saturday, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon lamented the gap too often seen between [...]

Help make a difference for Mao Hengfeng on International Women’s Day!

This March 8, take action on behalf of Mao and help promote women’s and petitioners’ rights in China. Abusive tactics and detention in illegal jails and psychiatric hospitals await people such as Mao, who have merely attempted to exercise their human rights.
International Women’s Day is a global event connecting all women around the world. Thousands [...]

Do you know how this war has affected the women of Iraq?

from Code Pink Women for Peace
As you read this, women in Iraq live in a Hell we have created.
In Central Iraq, 91.8% of women polled by Women for Women International say that violence against women is increasing. 74.5% of Iraqi women avoid leaving their homes. 63.2% have regularly not sent their children to school. 65.3% [...]

International Women’s Day campaign marks 6 year anniversary of the kidnap of Ingrid Betancourt

It is vitally important to maintain the pressure on all parties to accelerate the release of Betancourt and the other kidnap victims.

Green Principal Speaker Dr. Derek Wall is backing the international campaign on International Women’s Day 2008, organised by Patricia Penna, the wife of Brazilian Green Party President José Luiz Penna, to call for the [...]