WOMEN OF THE WORLD, MOBILISE THIS #MARCH8 [1]
For the women of La Via Campesina from all over the world, 8th of March
is a day of struggle, resistance and denunciation of the capitalist
system, transnational corporations (TNCs), patriarchy and masochism.
These oppress, exploit and violate women. It's also a day of solidarity
with women's struggles.
As peasant women, we are fully committed to the struggle for food
sovereignty as a solution for systemic change. This includes our
struggle for access to land, water, health and seeds. We use agroecology
as a political practice which envisions a world built on the principles
of justice and equity.
In recent times, we have seen an increase in violence against women. Our
struggles and resistances are being criminalised in a context of growing
conservatisms, dismantling of public policies and violations of
long-fought-for women's rights.
The recent grab of power by right-wing governments and heteropatriarchal
forces around the world has further imposed an environment where women
are violated, oppressed and in some cases assassinated with impunity. In
this system, women suffer violence in different ways every day. There
are patriarchal forces that confine and bind women in the private
sphere, i.e. the home, to care for others. These forces constantly keep
us, women, away from political sphere or the social and public life.
Therefore, it is necessary for us, peasant women of the world, to take
the street on this 8thof March, to mobilise, take action and defend our
rights, lands, seeds, healthy food and to raise our voices to say Stop
Violence Against Women, in ways that suit each organisation's struggles,
goals and local contexts.
We are committed to building alliances for the struggles of peasant
women against capital and heteropatriarchal violence. Therefore, we also
support and join the International Women Strike this 8th of March.
STOP VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN!
GLOBALISE THE STRUGGLE, GLOBALISE HOPE!
-------------------------
TAKE ACTION
* Send in your posters, photographs, videos, event plans, press
invitations to lvcweb(a)viacampesina.org
* You can also create short videos. To know more click here [2]
* To download posters, social media cards and more click here [3]
CONTACTS:
* Rashmi Munikempanna (India) - rashmi.munikempanna(a)gmail.com | +91
8762805428
* Iridiani Seibert (Brazil) - iridianigs(a)yahoo.com.br | +55
61999662804
* Mily Treviño-Sauceda (US) - milyliderescampesinas(a)msn.com |
+19515451917
Links:
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[1]
https://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/main-issues-mainmenu-27/women-mainmen…
[2] https://cloud.viacampesina.org/s/YOBf5NNWxuaSPm3/download
[3] https://cloud.viacampesina.org/s/YwJIqtryII1Z5cs
CONDEMNATION OF THE MURDER OF SULEIMAN HAMMAD, PALESTINIAN FARMER [1]
LA VÍA CAMPESINA strongly condemns the brutal and intentional murder of
our comrade Suleiman Hammad, an 85-year-old Palestinian farmer who on
February 8th, 2017 was run over by an Israeli settler, while walking to
work on his land near Al-Khader Village, south of Bethlehem.
We send our condolences and solidarity to his family and our sister
organization, the Union of Agricultural Work Committees (UAWC) of
Palestine. We urge all people, social movements, and governments to
pressure international institutions to help stop the systematic
violation of the Right to Life of Palestinian farmers and bring an end
to the Israeli Occupation of Palestine.
WHAT YOU CAN DO?
> * Write a statement against the constant violation of the Right to Life of Palestinian farmers.
> * Break the international community's silence and act immediately to protect the Palestinian farmers and put pressure to end the Israeli Occupation.
> * Organize protests in front of the Israeli Embassies to stop the Israeli violation against our farmers' rights.
> * Other ideas? Keep us posted!
Links:
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[1]
https://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/news-from-the-regions-mainmenu-29/223…
La Via Campesina | e-Newsletter | New Year Edition 2017
Donate [1]
This edition of the newsletter is the result of a collective effort of
organisations, which are part of_ La Via Campesina_ movement worldwide.
To subscribe click here [2]
REMEMBERING KATHY OZER, A FIGHTER FOR FAMILY FARMERS
-------------------------
Kathy didn't just talk and study and explain. She worked! She organized!
She advocated for those in need, and while we will feel her loss for
some time, we are blessed she came our way. Her work will not be in
vain. It will be on-going. She taught us well. Read the full statement
issued by NFFC [3]
VIA CAMPESINA CONDEMNS RECENT CRIMINALISATION OF TRADITIONAL SEED
EXCHANGE IN TANZANIA
-------------------------
[4]The recent reports that Tanzanian farmers would face heavy penalties
or a long prison sentence if they continue their traditional seed
exchange beyond government prescribed areas does not come as a surprise
to La Via Campesina Southern and Eastern Africa (LVC SEAf) and its
allies. This confirm our fears and what we have been lobbying against:-
Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA),[1] the New Alliance for
Food Security and Nutrition (NAFSN)[2] and the Common Markets for
Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA)[3] and Southern Africa Development
Community (SADC)[4] seed harmonisation regulatory systems. The
consultations with the smallholder farmers and their various
associations was very limited and done on the last minute following an
outcry by the Civil Society Organisations. We highlighted that seed
policy harmonisation path to promote commercial seed industry will lead
to criminalisation of traditional farmer saved seed systems whose
foundation is among things underpin by ability to exchange their seeds
without restrictions. Read the full statement [4]
NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
INDONESIAN PEASANTS' UNION (SPI) DENOUNCE WTO PANEL RULING THAT FAVOR US
AND NZ.
-------------------------
Denouncing the ruling, Henry Saragih, General Chairperson of Indonesian
Peasant's Union and member of ICC (International Coordination Committee)
of La Via Campesina, has warned that this would hamper the efforts of
the Indonesian government to strengthen and develop self-sufficiency in
food and meat production. Read More [5]
MILK CRISIS: DEREGULATION NOT IN THE INTEREST OF PRODUCERS AND CONSUMERS
-------------------------
European milk producers (ECVC and the European Milk Board - EMB) met
again in Brussels for a symbolic action on the occasion of the EU
Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting. Read More [6]
COMMISSION AND COUNCIL ONLY ADD TO THE DAIRY OVERFLOW WITH THEIR MILK
POWDER
-------------------------
On January 23rd, the European Coordination Via Campesina (ECVC), along
with the European Milk Board (EMB), demonstrated in front of the Justus
Lipsius building - Rue de la Loi 175, 1000 Brussels, against the
placement of milk powder resulting from public intervention, and in
defence of the restoration of regulatory instruments on milk production
in the EU. Read More [7]
DEMONETISATION IN INDIA: FARMERS' GROUPS WRITE AN OPEN LETTER TO THE
PRIME MINISTER
-------------------------
Several farmers' groups in India have written a joint letter to the
Prime Minister of India, highlighting the severe distress that exists in
the countryside after the Indian Government withdrew nearly 86% of the
currency in circulation overnight, in a supposed crackdown on corruption
and 'black economy. Bharatiya Kisan Union, a member of La Via Campesina
is also a signatory to the letter. Read More [8]
"AGROECOLOGY IS A WAY OF LIFE"
An in-depth interview with students of agroecologic school EDUCAR - Five
young landless people on how they experience this educational process.
Read More [9]
PROMOTE PEASANT AGROECOLOGY AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO MIGRATION: LVC IN DHAKA
-------------------------
La Via Campesina insisted throughout the PGA event in Dhaka that peasant
agroecology is a solution to climate change and the need to call upon
the nation states who are participating in Global Forum on Migration and
Development (GFMD) to rethink the development model they are pursuing.
Read More [10]
COP22: MARRAKECH DECLARATION
-------------------------
For real alternatives to preserve environmental balances and recognise
climate justice, For a fair and sustainable future for all peoples. Read
More [11]
JUSTICE FOR NICINHA AND THE RIVERSIDE COMMUNITIES OF THE BRAZILIAN
AMAZON
-------------------------
Mother, fisherwoman, activist of Brazil's Movimento dos Atingidos por
Barragens (MAB - Movement of People Affected by Dams) and a courageous
woman who was not afraid to denounce the human rights violations
committed by the Sustainable Energy of Brazil Consortium (ESBR) against
the communities on the banks of the Madeira River, Nicinha was
criminally silenced. Read More [12]
WOMEN PASTORALISTS: NEGLECTED IN THE 21ST CENTURY
-------------------------
In her last regular column for Farming Matters, Elizabeth Mpofu makes a
plea for governments to listen to pastoralists, particularly the women
among them. Read More [13]
"3% OF THE FARMS CONTROL 50% OF THE ARABLE LANDS IN THE EU": KAYA THOMAS
-------------------------
At the FAO Workshop on the Implementation of Voluntary Guidelines on the
Responsible Governance of Tenure (VGGT), held in Budapest Hungary, Kaya
Thomas from Arbeitsgemeinschaft bäuerliche Landwirtschaft (AbL) /ECVC
spoke at length about land fragmentation, collapsing rural
infrastructure and contradictory land laws. Here is the full text of her
speech that she delivered on behalf of CSOs and social movements. Read
More [14]
TOWARDS A POPULAR VOTE ON FOOD SOVEREIGNTY IN SWITZERLAND
-------------------------
Uniterre's quest to write food security into the Swiss constitutionOn
the back of La Via Campesina's 4th international meeting in Maputo, the
idea to incorporate food sovereignty into the Swiss Constitution took
form under the Uniterre committee, a member of European Coordination Via
Campesina. Read More [15]
FREE TRADE, RURAL CANADA AND HOW TO KEEP CANADA FROM BEING TRUMPED
-------------------------
The once mighty farmer cooperative handlers and processors have been
dismantled and absorbed into a handful of transnational corporations.
80% of Vancouver's terminal capacity used to be owned and operated by
prairie Pools. Now the private trade owns it all. With the Canadian
Wheat Board gone there is no real economic participation by farmers
beyond the farm gate, nor any referee to discipline the railroads |
writes _Jan Slomp_ (President of the National Farmers Union. He farms
near Courtenay, BC. Read More [16]
DEMONSTRATION IN BERLIN: _WE ARE FED UP WITH AGRO INDUSTRY!_
-------------------------
Free trade agreements such as CETA, TTIP and EPAs with African countries
will further liberalize the markets and lead to even greater export
dependency. The agricultural policies in Berlin and Brussels need to be
held responsible for that. We are farmers, food producers, beekeepers,
bakers, gardeners, animal, environmental and nature activists,
development workers, critical consumers and committed young people,
calling on you to join us as we fight for a more rural and ecological
agriculture on the 7th international "We are fed up!" demonstration.
Read More [17]
TRAINING CAMP ON ECOLOGICAL AGRICULTURE IN KARNATAKA, INDIA
-------------------------
Thousands of farmers came together to attend a class on ecological
farming at the Muruga Matha, a religious institution in southern
Karnataka, where a five-day intensive study camp on a chemical-free
farming method called Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) took place.
Read More [18]
WHAT DO LOVE LETTERS HAVE TO DO WITH FARMING?
-------------------------
Shifting to agroecology and sustainable agriculture isn't just about a
change in production models, its as much about changing the
relationships we have - including between genders.
Read More [19]
AGROECOLOGY CAMP IN PUERTO RICO
-------------------------
The goal of the encampment was to bring people together to work and
learn with one another and study agroecology as a tool of struggle
within the current political context. The methodology of the encampment
consisted of farm work in the mornings, followed by facilitated
discussions on topics including the agrarian history of Puerto Rico,
agroecology as a tool for social struggle and gender dynamics within
social movements. Read More [20]
CALL FOR MORATORIUM ON NEW GENETIC EXTINCTION TECHNOLOGY AT UN
CONVENTION
-------------------------
At the 2016 UN Convention on Biodiversity held in Cancun Mexico in
December 2016, international conservation and environmental leaders
called upon governments to establish a moratorium on the controversial
genetic extinction technology called gene drives.. Read More [21]
REMOVAL OF IMPORT DUTY ON WHEAT WILL DESTROY FARMERS: WARNS BKU, INDIA
-------------------------
Bharatiya Kisan Union opposes the removal of import duty on wheat and is
instead demanding the government to hike it to 40%. Read More [22]
INDONESIA PEASANTS' UNION PROTEST AGAINST CHEAP IMPORT OF POTATOES
-------------------------
A large number of small farmers and peasants in Indonesia took out a
massive protest against the cheap imports of potatoes, which has thrown
the local varieties out of the market and has caused distress to local
farmers. Read More [23]
"THERE CAN BE NO DECLARATION ON THE RIGHTS OF PEASANTS WITHOUT THE RIGHT
TO LAND"
-------------------------
Henry Saragih (Serikat Petani - Indonesia, La Via Campesina) and Ramona
Duminicioiu (Eco Ruralis - Romania, European Coordination Via Campesina)
spoke at the Palais des Nations in Geneva about the reasons why the
Right to Land and other Natural Resources is crucial for the Declaration
of the Rights of Peasants. Read More [24]
DAIRY AND POULTRY IN INDIA—GROWING CORPORATE CONCENTRATION, LOSING GAME
FOR SMALL PRODUCERS
-------------------------
This case study prepared by Ashelsha Khadse was part of a report What's
at Steak, published by Global Forest Coalition at the 13th Conference of
the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, held in Cancun,
Mexico in December 2016. Read More [25]
GRAPHIC NARRATIVE: TOGETHER WE CAN COOL THE PLANET!
Year: 2016
Summary:
Based on the video Together we can cool the planet! [26] co-produced by
La Vía Campesina and GRAIN in 2015, we have created a comic book [27] to
support training activities of social movements and civil society
organisations around climate change. This comic book looks at how the
industrial food system impacts our climate and also explains what we can
do to change course and start cooling the planet.
Download the Publication (English) [27]
THE NEW EDITION OF THE NYÉLÉNI NEWSLETTER IS NOW ONLINE!
Social movements, use agroecology to challenge existing power
structures, to resist the multiple attacks on our Mother Earth, and as a
tool for the social, economic, cultural, political and ecological
transformation of communities and territories. Click here to download
the English edition [28] or read it directly in the website at
www.nyeleni.org [29]
[30]
Inspiring visuals from the mass mobilisation against Free Trade
Agreements in Europe Watch Now [31]
[32]
HONEY AT THE TOP is a film about the Sengwer forest people of the
Cherangani Hills, Kenya, being evicted from their ancestral land in the
name of conservation. Facing international pressure from organisations
like the World Bank, a corrupt Kenya Forest Service who are burning
their houses, and attempts to turn the forest into a commodity through
carbon offsetting schemes, the Sengwer fight to hold onto their culture
and resist the evictions. Watch Now [33]
[34]
_DO NOTHING_, a film by Deadend Left and Amrita Bhoomi follows the
story of a couple - KM Raje Gowda and Kalpana who move from chemical
farming into Zero Budget Natural Farming (a method developed by Subhash
Palekar in India). This is a portrait not just of their farm but also
peeks into the Green Revolution, Pesticide Companies, Prof MD
Nanjundaswamy's fight against TNCs via Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha
(KRRS).
Watch Now [35]
[36]
After the earthquake April 7, 2016, a mute and silent plot of eviction,
displacement and dispossession of the island of Muisne, has been weaving
the government of the self-proclaimed "Citizen Revolution" in Ecuador.
The declaration, 'high risk zone for its inhabitants' and 'area for the
promotion of tourism', is a cruel irony that shows the government
opacity and their shady interests.
_"WE'RE NOT LEAVING, WE'RE STAYING HERE"_ has been the response of the
people, women and men, of the island that multiplies resistance and
calls organization for defense of homes and land, that cradle of
mangrove that was born. Watch Now [37]
YOU ARE AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE AUTONOMY OF OUR MOVEMENT
-------------------------
As a supporter who has contributed financial resources to La Via
Campesina, and as an activist who joins us on the streets and in the
fields, your support is always welcome and put to good use.
You can renew your contribution to La Via Campesina by clicking [1]here.
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[3]
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[4]
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[5]
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[14]
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[20]
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[21]
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[22]
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[24]
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[25]
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[26]
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[27] https://www.grain.org/attachments/4105/download
[28]
https://viacampesina.org/en/images/stories/pdf/2016-12-14-Nyeleni_Newslette…
[29] http://www.nyeleni.org/
[30] https://vimeo.com/200014663
[31] https://tv.viacampesina.org/Stop-CETA?lang=en
[32] https://vimeo.com/132069480
[33] https://tv.viacampesina.org/Honey-at-the-Top?lang=en
[34] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTWUu_HB4z0
[35]
https://tv.viacampesina.org/Do-Nothing-a-film-on-Zero-Budget?lang=en
[36] https://vimeo.com/198361627
[37] https://tv.viacampesina.org/Musine-We-re-staying?lang=en
[38] http://www.twitter.com/via_campesina
[39] https://www.facebook.com/viacampesinaOFFICIAL/
[40] https://vimeo.com/viacampesina