"The body of a woman is also a battleground in this "new type" of
war designed for extermination... We call upon all the men and
women who in Mexico and the world struggle for democracy, liberty
and justice, in order that we mobilize with regard to this
fundamental demand for all human beings: respect for women."
EZLN communiques regarding attack on Cecilia Rodriguez, November
2 and 4, 1995
NCDM FORMING PERMANENT NATIONAL WOMEN'S COMMITTEE
COMMITTEE ORGANIZING WOMEN'S DELEGATION TO CHIAPAS
MARCH 31-APRIL 3
The National Commission for Democracy in Mexico (NCDM) has formed
a permanent national women's committee to build awareness and
support among women in the US for the Zapatista and indigenous
women in Chiapas. The Committee was organized to support the
resistance of women against the devastation of neoliberal
restructuring, especially in Mexico and the US, by combating the
low-intensity warfare being directed at women in Chiapas.
Through its development as a grassroots women's network in the
US, the Committee is dedicated to raising public visibility of,
and support for, the conditions and efforts of women in Chiapas'
conflict zone and their linkages to women's issues in the US.
Chaired by Raquel Rubio-Goldsmith, director of Chicano Studies at
Pomo State Community College in Tucson and a member of NCDM's
Coordinating Committee, the committee is open to individuals and
organizations who want to build among women in the US:
. Understanding of the conditions of the Zapatista and
indigenous women in Chiapas, particularly regarding the lack of
justice and legal protection for women in Mexico
. Awareness of the linkages between conditions of women in
Chiapas and women in the US (i.e. the impact of neo-liberalism)
. Resistance to the low-intensity war in Mexico and its
particular targeting of women
. Opposition to US government and corporate involvement in the
low-intensity war in Mexico and the Party-State dictatorship in
Mexico
. Grassroots pressure to demand that national women leaders in
the US support the women in Chiapas
As part of its inaugural efforts, the National Women's Committee
is organizing and sponsoring a Women's Delegation to Chiapas
Sunday March 31 through Wednesday April 3, 1996. The delegation
will visit with women, community and church leaders, human rights
groups and Zapatista communities to learn about the conditions of
women in the conflict zone in Chiapas, and to lay the groundwork
for ongoing efforts in the US in support of the women of Chiapas.
It will be led by Cecilia Rodriguez, official US representative
of the Zapatistas.
In addition members of the Women's Delegation may extend their
stay in Chiapas and participate as members of NCDM's delegation
to the Continental Encuentro in Chiapas Wednesday April 3-Sunday
April 7.
For more information on the National Women's Committee and its
Women's Delegation to Chiapas, please contact NCDM's national
office at:
601 N. Cotton Street, #A103
El Paso, Texas 79902
Phone/fax: (915) 532-8382
Email: moonlight@igc.apc.org
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
National Commission for Democracy in Mexico
601 N. Cotton St. #A103
El Paso, Texas 79902
Phone/fax (915) 532-8382
Email: <moonlight@igc.apc.org>
Dear Hermana:
NCDM's Women's Delegation to Chiapas will begin its work on
the evening of Sunday, March 31st; therefore all delegation
members need to arrive in San Cristobal de las Casas by the
afternoon of March 31st. The delegation will spend Monday,
April 1st in one of the Centers of Resistance established by
the EZLN to formally establish the National Women's
Committee and to learn more about the low-intensity war in
Chiapas and its impact on women and the efforts of the
Zapatistas, especially the women, to resist and build a
peaceful transition to democracy, liberty and justice. On
Tuesday April 2, the delegation will meet with legal
representatives of the indigenous women attacked in Chiapas
as well as leaders of the civilian Zapatista support
committees in San Cristobal. We also will have a meeting of
the delegation to develop a initial workplan for the
Committee upon our return to the United States. The
delegation members then would return home on Wednesday April
3 or join NCDM's delegation to the EZLN's Continental
Meeting on Neoliberalism and in favor of humanity, which is
being held in Chiapas April 3-April 7th.
Depending upon your needs and interests, the cost of the
trip can be as inexpensive as round-trip airfare to Tuxtla-
Gutierrez, Chiapas plus $100. NCDM will make housing and
transportation arrangements in San Cristobal, although the
costs are your responsibility along with food. NCDM's
national office will be happy to provide information on
possible travel arrangements to and from the US and San
Cristobal.
Translation from Spanish to English will be provided
although bi-lingual skills are appreciated.
If you are interested in being part of the delegation, we
ask that you send a brief letter to NCDM's national office.
The letter should describe your background with regard to
issues of women and Mexico, your reasons for wanting to
participate in the delegation, and what you can offer to the
National Women's Committee upon returning to the US. We
also request the names and phone numbers of 2 references
regarding your work on issues of women, and an idea of your
travel plans (would you want to go for March 31-April 3 or
stay on with the NCDM delegation?). Upon receipt of your
letter we will be in touch with you to discuss your
participation in more detail. The letter can be sent by
postal mail, fax or electronic mail.
If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact
us. We really appreciate your interest, and we are very
excited about this initiative to build grassroots women's
support in the US for the struggle of the Zapatistas.
Seguimos en la lucha,
Julia Sanchez
NCDM national office volunteer