WIDF activists speak out against war, imperialism

Condemnation of the US's war in Iraq was rife at the 14th Congress of the Women's International Democratic Federation (WIDF) in Caracas, Venezuela, which concluded on Apr. 13 with a march in solidarity with the Chávez administration. Over 1,000 delegates representing 165 organizations in 80 countries participated. "The fight against imperialist wars is part of the struggle we engage in against all forms of oppression and violence, and for women to be considered first-class citizens in every nation," said Marcia Campos, the Brazilian president of the WIDF, at the inauguration of the congress. The WIDF was founded in 1945 with the aim of organizing and mobilizing women's groups and coalitions to work for the causes of peace and equal rights for women. From Apr. 8-13, the congress working groups addressed issues such as the negative impact of globalization, state terrorism and imperialist wars and building international solidarity against political repression and all forms of violence against women. Other debates have focused on progress towards equal rights for women in terms of employment, health, education, social security and overcoming hunger; the rights of indigenous women and women of African descent women in the Americas; and human trafficking and treatment of women, children and teenagers. National struggles were also discussed at the congress. For instance, the Puerto Rico committee at the United Nations proposed "breaking down the wall of silence surrounding the island's struggle for independence," one of its leaders, Wilma Reveron, said. As an example of national reconciliation after a civil war lasting 30 years, Angolan Minister of Family and Women's Affairs Candida da Silva presented the case for her country, where she said the struggle for political empowerment is still ongoing. Although 13 percent of Angolan members of parliament are women, women hold only 2.5 percent of the decision-making positions of the executive branch. "We still have a long way to go to strengthen women's role in political decision-making," da Silva said. In countries like Guatemala, "more women in public office" has also become a political rallying cry, Julia Luchcar, a member of the National Union of Guatemalan Women (UNAMG) and the Broad Movement of the Left (MAIZ), said. Walda Barrios-Klee, the president of UNAMG, is standing as MAIZ's candidate for the vice presidency of Guatemala in next September's elections. Nobel Peace Prize winner Rigoberta Menchu is running for president. The struggle against globalizing capitalism and its effects on indigenous peoples was stressed by participants like Hilaria Supa Huaman, an indigenous Peruvian member of parliament. "We oppose violence, and most of all we oppose the violence that the United States wants to impose on us," she said. "We want an end to war, because it kills people and nature, and brings about climate change," Supa Huaman emphasized.