Active resistance against globalization. (9th Feminist Encounter).

During December 1-6, 2002, in Playa Tambor, Costa Rica, 820 women from 20 countries in Latin America, the Caribbean and elsewhere joined forces at the 9th Latin American and the Caribbean Feminist Encounter. Young and old, heterosexual and lesbian, white, black and indigenous, activists and academics, this diverse group of women met to strengthen alliances and take part in impassioned discussion of three priority issues focused on what globalization has meant for women. In addition to the debates during the main plenary sessions, the participants also shared healing testimonies, life experiences and sometimes humorous reflections.

Tempered by the diversity of nationalities and perspectives, this feminist exchange continued until the close of the meeting, when each woman returned home to her own life, carrying with her new friendships and shared knowledge and with the hope of meeting again at the next Feminist Encounter three years from now in Brazil.

All Eyes on Globalization

"Active Resistance to Neoliberal Globalization" was the unifying theme that linked the different areas of reflection: 1. Expressions of feminism as a sociopolitical subject in globalization; 2. Transnationalism of patriarchy and capitalism: the State, civil society, the international monetary system and political organizations; 3. Our body-world: Policies, resistance and alternatives to globalization.

A variety of complex and diverse topics arose, including: feminism and globalization, the impact of this process on the feminist agenda; globalization and its expressions of violence in women's lives; human rights and citizenship; the medicalization of women's bodies; globalization and communication; spirituality, etc.

Although there was a unanimous recognition of the perverse effects of neoliberal economic models and of economic globalization, as well as the devastating impact of the transformation of the State on women's lives, work and health, other voices praised those aspects of globalization that have allowed for greater dissemination of the feminist agenda and women's issues and demands, especially due to mass communications and information technology. Nevertheless, the majority opinion was that the neoliberal models have resulted in the renewed colonization by the superpowers who have enslaved the cheap human resources of our less developed and impoverished regions, made up in large part by women and children.

The testimonial forums that analyzed the cases of Cuba, Brazil, Puerto Rico, Haiti, Mexico, Colombia and Argentina were especially popular, since they offered first-hand information about women's strategies in response to crisis situations. Participants also attended workshops, enjoyed healing experiences, and visited special areas set aside for health and spirituality, as well as the distribution and sale of materials prepared by feminist organizations. A variety of artists enlivened the nights with their musical and theatrical presentations.

An article by Lesbia Moraes, from Bolivia's RED-ADA network and member of the meeting's Communications Commission lists the non-negotiable demands of the women participating in the final plenary session:

YES to the globalization of tenderness, love, solidarity, open and pluralistic communication and technology at the service of the people. And NO to the massacres of the women in Ciudad Juarez; to the United States blockade of Cuba which is a violation of the international right to autonomy.

Women of diverse countries, races and creeds also called for an end to the continual bombings by the United States' Navy of Vieques Island, Puerto Rico and a clean-up of the toxic pollutants left on the island by the martial activities. They also rejected racist violence in Brazil where black women suffer severe discrimination.

NO to the use of the female body in advertising for the war in Colombia was one of the most well-received demands, as was the flat-out refusal to pay the foreign debt and rejection of the business of war as the only option for countries in the region.

Also condemned by the meeting's participants were government corruption; governmental complicity with U.S. war interests; the maquiladora system that violates the basic rights of women; the increasing social and economic polarization within the countries of our region; and lesbophobia, which prevents thousands of women from living free and fulfilling lives.

This united group of feminists also declared unacceptable State-sponsored terrorism and the security policies of the U.S. and other governments; the hegemony of the North; the double standard of countries that use financial resources to support social projects and armed conflict simultaneously; the structural adjustment policies that have a more serious impact on women and that reinforce the patriarchy; and neoliberal policies that promote different forms of oppression and encourage a world of violence, misery, repression and death.

* For more information, visit the Meeting's website: www.9feminista.org