1000 Feministas
This weekend, a thousand Latin American and Spanish speaking women will converge on Sydney Town Hall to march at International Women’s Day (IWD) 2011, which this year celebrates 100 years.
Elizabeth Rivera, 52 years old, spokesperson for Colectivo Mujer, the organising body of the Latin American contingency, describes the situation experienced by the women of this community:
"We have spoken with numerous women in Sydney who all agree that it is necessary and urgent to highlight Latina or Spanish-speaking women achievements and beliefs at this momentous IWD event. We have important women role models that we want to honour. We had, and still have, leaders working hard to raise awareness of the obstacles faced by these women."
Rivera adds, "Most of all, we want to show Sydney that we exist. This is a small step in being noticed and being accepted as part of the Australian feminist landscape".
Colectivo Mujer acknowledges that in the past feminist concepts were discarded by many women and men in the Spanish speaking communities, because they were seen as too anti male. Machista traditions of Latino societies have been one of the many obstacles preventing Latino women from giving voice to the issues that they, and their families, have faced.
Rosarela Meza, 49 years old, emphasises, "It is important that feminist men are allowed to march at this year’s march. We welcome men who question and reject the machista traditions which still prevail".
25 years old, Micaela, is marching because she is horrified by the brutal killings in many parts of Latin and Central America; "Women everywhere around the world are being exterminated. If we can do something about global warming, surely, we can do something to stop sexual slavery and femicide."
Elena, 38 years old, affirmed, "At International Women’s Day, we want to show that we are more than Zumba, Tango and Brazilian bikinis. We are all standing up to be counted, and we are celebrating women from our communities who dared to disobey, – who imagined a better future."
To participate in the Colectivo Mujer march, or to view the hidden histories of these women, assemble at Sydney Town Hall at noon on Saturday March 12 and look out for the main banner ‘1000 Feministas’, and for placards bearing the faces of Latina women leaders.
For information about Colectivo Mujer, join the Facebook page by searching 1000 Feministas.
Rosarela Meza specialised in the community sector particularly in the area of community arts and worked for organisations including Liverpool Migrant Resource Centre, Inner West Cultural Services, Fairfield City Council, Information & Cultural Exchange and Auburn Community Development Network. She completed a Master of Arts in Creative Writing at UTS in 2009.
