Over time, the March 8 has become institutionalized to the "Day LA Woman" symbolic
celebration from suitably silent it is in fact a day of struggle. To reappropriate a crazy
idea was born: the strike of women! ---- Starting in 2012, some girls motivated Mix-Cit?
and Solidarity. It was enough that, despite the alleged "madness" of the project, a broad
collective stands at Toulouse. It was more than sixty years that strike women had no place
in France. " It became obvious. March 8 has taken a sense , "says Julie (militant
Mix-Cit? and Solidarity). ---- Thus, associations met feminists, family schedule, shelters
for women, trade unions (Solidarity, CNT, Snetap-FSU, Aget-ESF), organizations and
associations (Libertarian Alternative, Attac, Alternative, NPA).
The goal: to protest against wage differences, differences in career progression, the
"workplace violence" involuntary part-time, pensions lower than 48% of men. Women are the
most affected by the crisis, the more precarious the antisocial measures even more,
particularly affecting families 86% of lone parents are women.
By the strike, the place and importance of the participation of women in society are made
actually visible. If 52% of the population stops working, the company is blocked. And more
so that some sectors employing mostly women, as early childhood care and maintenance are
key sectors. In not limited to domestic work and investing the world of work, strike women
the means to conquer visibility in the public sphere.
An unexpected ...
If the idea has spoken to many women who are not politicized, for which the non-mixing of
the call is not a problem, things were more complicated in the sphere activist. FSU and
the CGT (despite the interest of some of their activists) had refused to sign the appeal
because of it, and Solidarity found itself deeply divided on the issue.
However, the non-mixing can say symbolically a woman's right to resume the street without
suffering solicitation and harassment of some men. Also entitled to show as autonomous
political beings, while men continue the rest of the year to keep the upper hand in the
political and trade union. It is also the guarantee of a self-organized struggle by the
main stakeholders, not recovered by groups who make an issue largely secondary or peripheral.
And finally, what is a day on 365? Men would they fear losing control? Feminism, became
the preserve of a few specialists within organizations and trade unions, and looked with
suspicion, requires a lot of education today. Reserve and unwillingness (conscious or
unconscious) are some-not easier. For the comrades who defended the project, it was very
heavy in-house. " Unions have a huge responsibility when it does not work because they do
not believe it , "says Julie. Fortunately, feminists have believed Toulouse, united
despite the differences and the result was well above their expectations.
Success ...!
Between 600 and 800 women marched that day in a living manifestation, hosted by
performance artists (women for once). Before the Toulouse National Theatre is the vision
concerning women in a culture made by men who denounced. Front of the prefecture is the
double oppression of immigrant women and undocumented. And to a shopping center, women as
objects, used for commercial purposes. It was far from agreed normal events of March 8,
parades organizations displaying their feminism-righteous when they do not just appear at all.
The strike was close at least three cr?ches, a dozen recreation centers associated with
the school (CLAE) and canteens, several shelters for women. Midwives Ducuing Joseph
Hospital who could not strike posted up their support group with badges. It also disrupted
the primary schools in the city. Some women, sometimes with more than twenty years of age,
went on strike for the first time, because it spoke to them. For a strike whose notices
have been filed by some unions Solidarity, it is not bad at all! Others had to admit that
they had missed the boat.
2013-2014: strike again!
And this year is no different in Toulouse. The call this time is mixed due to pressure
from the unions who threatened not to rehire. And no union, no strike ... If FSU has
finally joined the project, the CGT has not deigned to respond to the invitation.
Single-sex only was she an excuse? Diversity is unlikely she do not lose some of its
meaning and its radical project, and allow its recovery? This second experiment will in
any case to answer these questions.
What is certain is that the holidays fall ill this year, the school was the most mobilized
last year. But this should not discourage us, and we must already think ahead. Why not
extend the strike throughout France in 2014? The idea did fly around and Solidarity has
already positioned for. The European Social Forum in Florence in 2012 called to make "
European equities affirmation of women's emancipation against austerity and debt , "and
although this call is to" Rep. sauce "and limited to issues economic, that has come to the
collective the Left Party, the Anti-Capitalist Left, Convergences and alternative Europe
ecology green. If the trade unions and engage at the national level, this strike could
have a sacred echo. A national call would also allow greater autonomy for feminist groups,
multiple initiatives and original, and most importantly, to give new life to this day and
the struggles of women in general.
But we must also remain vigilant that it does not lose its power or its radical
subversion. Better than acquiescence heated debate due to indifference agreed. Make this
project a reality will be a Libertarian Alternative objectives for the coming year. Unions
and organizations, held mainly by men, must prove that they are wet and ready to engage on
these issues. Because feminist groups, ultra-divided today, take a good way to unite again
feminism alive and offensive struggle, a struggle that is open to all women, not just
specialists. No offense to the patriarchy we gangrene.
Elisa (AL Toulouse)
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