Women to the fore in opposition to war
October 2001

Women are firmly standing in the forefront against violence, war and occupation. In Montreal from October 2-6, the Third International Meeting of the World March of Women was held, bringing together delegates from 35 countries around the world. On October 5, some 500 women participated in a vigil in Montreal organized by the Fédération des femmes du Québec (FFQ) against violence, war and occupation. A similar vigil was also organized by the Ottawa World March of Women committee on October 5 at the Human Rights Monument in the capital. Also in Ottawa from October 1-3, the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies held a three-day "Women's Resistance Conference" addressing the issue of women and the justice system.

Statement from the World March of Women

A statement issued by delegates of the 35 countries participating in the Third International Meeting of the World March of Women was read. The statement condemned "once again, all terrorist acts perpetrated on the planet, of which those of September 11 constitute the latest barbaric examples. The thousands of citizens savagely killed in these attacks join the numerous thousands of innocent civilians who, long before September 11, were also brutally wiped off the face of the world, victims of equally barbaric acts of terrorism: wars improperly termed 'humanitarian' or 'low-intensity,' state violence, economic blockades, occupations, colonialism, genocide, patriarchal oppression ... and the hunger and misery springing daily from the intolerable inequity of the global economic system."

Recalling their presence at the UN exactly a year ago to denounce "the numerous dirty wars ravaging our peoples," the delegates stated that they had clearly identified the leading players in these wars, including the major powers, the arms industry and transnational companies. The statement recalled that at the UN, the World March of Women demanded "the respect of human rights, the implementation of all the UN Conventions, and a negotiated political resolution" to the conflicts in the world.
The statement unequivocally expressed opposition to an armed intervention against a country or group of countries to resolve the crisis engendered by the event of the September 11. The statement decried the fact that "the threat of a NATO military intervention has forced millions of Afghans who were already dramatically impoverished into flight." The women also condemned the U.S. government, backed by unconditional allies, for strengthening its hegemony as the global police, and the imposition of its new global order. The statement pointed out that the U.S.'s actions oppose "the international instruments essential to peace, sustainable development and women's equality."

The statement pointed out that "the arms industry and military budgets will increase to the detriment of health, education, social security and environmental protection programs." It further condemned governments for using the tragedy "to justify the escalation of xenophobia; the tightening of their borders, thereby erecting a fortress against immigrants and refugees; the endangerment and even suppression of civil rights and fundamental freedoms, particularly those of women; and the criminalization of any opposition" to the current state of neo-liberal globalization.

Noting the necessity for those responsible for the September 11 attacks to be clearly identified and brought to justice, the statement said: "The spirit of the law must take precedence over the law of vengeance and vigilantes" and spoke in support of the demand of citizens and organizations all over the world for a radical change of course in U.S. foreign policy. The World March of Women called on the UN to intervene much more actively to prevent any form of military intervention in the current crisis and to bring to an end all current acts of military intervention, conflicts and occupations, and ensuring the right to asylum and the rights of refugees to return to their home countries is guaranteed.

Recognizing the urgency of a negotiated political resolution of all conflicts, the statement stressed that "women must be active participants in such negotiations." It called for the immediate lifting of embargoes and blockades against Cuba and Iraq. "Women and children are the primary victims of such sanctions," the delegates said. They called for "the complete prohibition of the manufacture and sale of arms" and demanded that States implement disarmament policies respecting both classic weapons of war and nuclear and biological weapons.

The statement was loudly applauded by participants for its stands, and the delegates concluded by stating their commitment to work to build "a world of justice and equality as an alternative to terrorist acts and armed interventions" and reaffirmed their desire to live in a world "where all human beings enjoy the same rights and freedoms regardless of their sex, ethnic origin, nationality, religion or sexual orientation." They reiterated their unity and solidarity with all the people across the planet who are mobilizing to affirm that "another world is possible" and "to make it happen right now!"

Women's Resistance Conference

At the Women's Resistance Conference in Ottawa on October 1, Professor Sunera Thobani gave a speech linking the recent terrorist attacks in the U.S. with American foreign policy, saying that it is "soaked in blood." She told the conference that the terrorist attacks should not be used to coerce Canadian women into backing U.S. foreign policy.

"Today in the world, the United States is the most dangerous and the most powerful global force unleashing horrific levels of violence," Thobani said to a standing ovation of 600 delegates.

"From Chile to El Salvador to Nicaragua to Iraq, the path of U.S. foreign policy is soaked in blood. There will be no emancipation for women anywhere on this planet until the western domination of this planet is ended," she said.

In response to attacks in the media and in the Parliament for her statements at the conference, the Canadian Association of Sexual Assault Centres and the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies issued a statement saying, "In the wake of this week's storm of controversy surrounding the speech delivered by prominent Canadian feminist Dr. Sunera Thobani on Monday, we wish to denounce the astonishing mistreatment by the mainstream media and elected members of Parliament of Dr. Thobani, the conference, its participants, and the movements for social change."

It further stated, "This week, voices calling for alternative solutions to the September 11th crisis have been attacked, while the space for such voices is dangerously in jeopardy. Every person in this country should fear the potential ramifications of this blatant move to condemn, ridicule and suppress opposition to the agenda of war and violence.

"The women gathered here are united in their collective concern for Canadian government policy and its impact in the struggle forwomen's equality, the struggle to end racism, and the struggle for freedom from poverty. We are collectively examining the dire question of how to end violence against women in all its forms. We rightfully consider the matter of war."

The statement concluded, "We call on everyone in this country, individuals and organizations concerned about the struggle for equality, peace and justice, the right to free speech and participatory democracy, to link their voice with ours in this critical time. We encourage this broad support through your own media statements, press conferences, declarations of support, and calls for fairness and openness."