GCAP launches its 2007 Mobilisation on International Women’s Day, March 8

2007/03/07 14:00:00 GMT+1

On the eve of perhaps the most important day of global observance, International Women’s Day, GCAP campaigners around the globe are preparing to launch its first 2007 mobilisation.  The March 8 campaign is global in scope with national and regional demands to apply pressure on national and local governments and to send the message that the inclusion of gender equality is critical for meaningful social development.
 
The Global Call to Action against Poverty (GCAP) recognizes the inextricable link between poverty and gender inequality.  Gender equality is central to meeting the various challenges that humanity faces and the struggle for gender equality requires our active participation.
 
The GCAP Feminist Task Force has taken a lead in preparing the first GCAP mobilization in 2007 on March 8th, International Women’s Day.  Infusing all national moblisations with the key message “Gender Equality to End Poverty”, March 8 marks a pivotal moment of global solidarity in the struggle for gender equality.

With the Feminist Task Force providing the messaging and content for our March 8 mobilisation, the goal is “virtual” mobilization designed so that every person can take personal action.  There are a range of actions recommended by GCAP that can be done in your home, at your workplace and in civil society organisations that you are part of.

It does not matter whether there are a few people who participate in your efforts or whether you take an individual action.  A sampling of recommended actions for us on March 8 include, for example:

1.    E-cards, e-mails, SMS/text messages: For example, develop your own messages and send to your email lists about your commitment to gender equality or send an SMS to your mobile phone contacts.
2.    Postcards and letter writing: For example, send messages to your daughters and sons about the importance of gender equality.
3.    Banners: For example, you and your colleagues could hang out a banner on International Women’s Day at your place of work popularizing the importance of gender equality.
4.    Website postings and links: For example, providing links on your website to women’s organizations as a way of encouraging your constituencies to learn more about the great efforts being made by women’s organizations from the grassroots level to the global level.
5.    Other actions recommended are videos, films, rallies, demonstrations, public actions, policy panels and forums and cultural events.  


In Solidarity,
Kumi Naidoo

Source: GCAP