Mennonite Women Support the World March for Women

Mennonite Central Committee
Saturday, 14 October 2000

WINNIPEG, Man. --Women from across Manitoba spoke and sang about the need to celebrate as women during a recent rally here.

Approximately 1,000 women, men and children participated at the World March for Women on September 17 as part of a world-wide event. Voices for Non-Violence, with support from MCC Manitoba Women's Concerns Committee, was there as well.

Mennonite Central Committee Women's Concerns believes addressing the issues of poverty and violence are an integral part of the Gospel's call to work for peace, justice and to love our neighbour, said Eleanor Epp-Stobbe who coordinates the MCC Manitoba Voices for Non-Violence program.

Women's Concerns works for women's equality in the Mennonite community, which includes dealing with issues of poverty and violence against women.

"Voices for Non-Violence supports the World March of Women 2000 because it speaks out in condemnation of systems that tolerate and perpetuate violence," said Epp-Stobbe. "Voices advocates respect for physical, mental and spiritual integrity."

It was an exuberant crowd that marched from The Forks-- where the Red and Assiniboine Rivers meet in downtown Winnpeg-- to the steps of the Manitoba Legislative buildings. Passing motorists honked in solidarity as marchers chanted slogans, sang snatches of songs, cheered, beat drums and played instruments.

Native drums beat as women joined the circle of dancers around the drummers. Diane McGifford, the Manitoba Minister for the Status of Women, echoed the sentiments of all who attended: "The greatest barrier to women is poverty."

Participants set aside their differences to unite for a common cause. Nahani Fontaine, Mother of the Red Nations Women's Council of Manitoba, said there are two definitions of violence and poverty-- aboriginal and non-aboriginal. Violence and poverty cannot be separated from racism.

Meanwhile, the students from Canadian Mennonite University participated in the Clothesline Project. T-shirts were emblazoned with symbols and slogans denouncing poverty and violence. Hundreds of T-shirts hung around the Manitoba Legislative buildings as a fitting symbol of the poverty and injustice that communities and governments keep from airing.

The World March for Women has its roots in the Women's March Against Poverty in Quebec in 1995 organized by the Federation des femmes du Quebec. Later, the UN Conference on Women in Beijing took up the torch and began to organize for a world-wide march. Presently, 157 countries are involved. In Canada 24 national organizations, including many faith-based groups, have formed a coalition in support of this March. World March activities began March 8--International Women's Day-- and continue until October 17 which is the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

Manitoba's March accomplished the goals set out by the international organization. These include:
Encouraging grassroots women's groups to participate together in addressing the issues of poverty and violence against women.

Connecting women's struggles around the world, to promote equality between women and men.
Demanding accountability and concrete action from governments to improve the quality of women's lives.

For more information, or to contact Mennonite Central Committee, see their website at: www.mcc.org