Local
women’s groups are gearing up to participate in the second Women’s
World March. Originating in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on March 8^th,
the march strives to “unite the values, aspirations, grievances and
calls to action of the women of the planet,” and will transverse 53
countries, ending in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, on October 17^th.

While marching, the women, who represent over 163 nations and
territories, will raise awareness of the struggles and needs of women
through the dissemination of the Women’s World Letter for Humanity,
which articulates 17 demands for bringing an end to poverty and
violence against women and creating “another world,...full of hope and
life.”  This letter is a follow-up to that delivered to the
International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and United Nations during the
first march of 2000, to which the women have still received no
response. 

In Mexico, women will march from the southern
border town of Tapachula, Chiapas, to Mexico City and then on to Ciudad
Juarez, highlighting the increasing number of femicides and other kinds
of violence against women in these areas.  Women from San
Cristobal will meet the march in Tapachula, then bring them back to San
Cristobal for a day of protest and activities. 

As costs
for the march must be covered by individual women participants, local
women’s organizations are asking for donations to cover the expenses of
transportation, food, lodging, etc., primarily for indigenous women
coming from rural areas.  In addition, funds are needed to cover
the cost of printing materials.  If you are interested in
donating, please email masandschafer@yahoo.com.

Please see http://www.marchemondiale.org/es/carta.html for more information.