Asian women speak only resulted in merciless massacres and mass rape but general curbing of women's access to education, employment and movement. Orgies of violence against Tamil women in
We reprint below the text of a speech to a workshop organised by the Asian Women's Research and Action Network (AWRAN). VIBHUTI PATEL
The decade has witnessed increasing of democratic rights in Asia. While accepting that both men and women are of it, we would like to emphasise that women suffer even more.
Thailand and Indonesia, jingoism in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have their own implicaprisoners and under trial is shocking. Heinous tactics of rape and other and torture are used for humiliation and terrorisation of women in these
Nepalese women the monarch are brutally and abused by the state. It is not an exaggeration to say that the states in Asian countries have institutionalised
Mass rape of women military-men the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia; police atrocities against women in and Pakistan are glaring examples of this phenomenon...
During decade, because of pressure from women's in some of the Asian countries, liberal legislation on questions like equal pay for equal work were granted on paper but at the same time basic democratic and trade union rights for women workers were taken away as a result of establishment of free trade zones and an expanding informal sector. During the decade most of the trade inion struggles have been defensive truggles - employers close down factories and treat women workers easily replaceable commodities.
men workers are expected fer in silence inspite of carious wages and deteriorating physical and mental conditions due to occupational diseases and hazards. as far as women's struggles are concerclass women demand liberal legislation, preferenorganising themselves the state ruthlessly represses them. In Pakistan, himself to bring about the new Islamic Order and the women of Pakistan bore the brunt of the punishment women", rape
All states in Asian countries grant personal laws based on religious codes and customary laws. The laws are not only discriminatory against women, but have a deeprooted prejudice against women. None of them recognise women's individuality in its own right and they see women as dependent on fathers, husbands or sons. Because of personal laws, legal status of women different religious groups is not the same. Women's groups in Korea,
Ceylon, India have demanded abolition of personal laws formulation of uniform civil
Asian women don't have landrights. Even land reforms have deposited landrights in the hands of men. As a result in many countries agrarian women's struggles demanding landrights have emerged.
The worsening economic crisis has given rise to religious fundamentalism and ethnic revivalism that has culminated in religious, caste and ethnic riots
Sri Lanka, Dalit-Muslim-Sikh-tribal women in India and of Pakistan bear witness to this proces insecurity of minorities commun them even more conser
The decade has sensitised momen groups to the fight against of the worst forms of violence agai women. Issues like rape and beating are taken up by the women? groups all over Asia. The Women's Forums' fight against lynching other brutal punishment to women in Pakistan bride-burning" Indian women's struggles against are some of them. In India, the old practice of female infanticide is replaced by the modern technique of female foeticide - Amniocentesis. It has posed a threat to survival of women, as it is, women are a declining sex in India.
State sponsored population polices have snatched away the basic reproductive rights of Asian women who are guinea-pigs for contraceptive researches. The drugs that are banned dumped in The Malaysian state wants women to produce five children to meet the projected 70 million 115 years time so that a large labour can be provided for a heavy Singapore wants its educated women to breed more babies so that a superior race is generated. In South the rulers want women to produce not more than two children. Contraceptive measures like sterilisation and abortion are not seen as means for women to have greater control over their bodies, but rather for the reshaping of the demographic poliev.
The only force that can counter attacks and violation of the democratic rights of Asian women is a grassroots movement of women working hand in hand with other movements of the toiling masses, because it is the interplay of state interference, and class that creates the present situation.
27
ly for the struggles of the peoples of Central America. We should all say with one voice; — "Todos somos jovenes revolucionarios' — 'We are all revolutionary
International Viewpoint 16 September 1985
YOUTH from the Lutte Ouvriere group were included in the French delegation.
Moreover, comrades who are active in the antiracist struggle in France in various associations, such as the
FASTI [Federation 'Associations de Soutien aux Travailleurs Immigres Federation of Associations Supporting Immigrant Workers], took part in discussions on this subject.
We were also pleased to have a representative of Sinn Fein and of the FMLN-FDR, as well as a large
THE YOUTH organizations linked to the Fourth International held their second summer camp this year at the end of July. More than
800 people attended.
This was 200 more than last year and surpassed the expectations of the organisers. In fact, in the first days the cooks had a difficult time providing for so many people!
SERGE EMERY
The attendance this year was also
The of the average age younger.
participants was between twenty and twenty and a half, instead of twentyone, as it was last year. So, the age of the youth organizations is going down, following the example of the
Belgian delegation, which was the youngest, averaging 19 years.
The number of participants who belonged to adult organizations linked to the Fourth International amounted this direction.
This road does not mean a sectarian self-affirmation of the youth organizations linked to the Fourth International. An essential part is the determination to discuss together with all those who are fighting against imperialism and the bureaucracy. So, for example, about a dozen comrades delegation from the New Caledonian liberation organization, the FLNKS, who participated in the workshops and in the final rally.
The enthusiasm with which these representatives were welcomed showed that they can count on the young revolutionists of the Fourth International throughout the world to support their struggles.
In fact, the youth camp was a gathering of revolutionists from all over the world. It brought people from Mexico, the USA, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, and all of Europe who wanted to get together to advance the revolution without any protocol, bureaucracy, or paternalism. That is exactly what young people are looking for today.
What we thought ...
to just 36 percent.
In other words, more than five hundred youth came from every corner of Europe and
The Irish delegation to the FI youth camp was comprised of three delegates from further afield to learn about from People's Democracy and one observer. There was also a comrade from the Fourth International.
The Dutch delegation had by far
We attended many workshops on matters such as women's liberation, Iran, Lesbian and Gay liberation and so forth.
the best proportion of women, who represented 56%. The percentage of workshops to be very useful to us. However,
Andre Calves, a partisan veteran from Brittany. This was very interesting the total attendance who were women because of the parallels between Nazi occupied France and British occupied only 35%. So, recruitment of was
Ireland. The Irish delegation also held a workshop of their own which younger people does not necessarily explained the present situation in Ireland. We received a very positive response to this and look forward to next year, hoping for the social life to be every bit
Sinn enjoyable.
We found these the best discussion had was with recruiting women.
mean more is a lot of work yet to be
There done in this area.
There is more to organizing a
Two young miners from Penrhiwceiber lodge/ branch of the National Union youth camp than just getting people of Mineworkers (NUM) in South Wales came as part of the British delegation to come along. Above all, it is part youth
I'm involved with Socialist Action at home and we have had discussions and parcel of building the on various things there but its much more educational to actually meet organizations, and spreading the idea of the need for revolution. Here too
Lots of links can be made between our struggle and others - justified in claiming success.
we are whether they're as advanced as that in Nicaragua or like the miners' strike.
What other example is there of such
As a result of the youth camp we'll have the basis to operate the campaign for a large gathering where young revoamnesty [for sacked and imprisoned miners] within the youth organisations.' lutionists could discuss and feel at home?
The PRT, Mexican section of the Fourth International sent two delegates
The enthusiasm of the participants to the camp. In fact there were a further ten who wanted to come. I came at the end of the camp shows the both to represent Mexico and to give information way forward for building youth but also to get an idea about what Europe and life in Europe not be organizations. They must is like. I found that it was totally different to my country.
imitations of the adult ones but
The camp seemed incredible to me as I had never been at such an event organizations that integrate the and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The organisation was very good as was the concerns of all young people in their food! I was delighted to see the enthusiasm of the European youth especialday-to-day political life, from music to anti-racism, in order to fight for a new world. This second summer camp was a further step in as good as this year!
Gerry Lynch (17 years old)
to the camp and this was one comment...
people involved in the various struggles
Nigel Bevan (19 years old)
- more than you can ever read in on the struggles which
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