Section Report 2002

WILPF Chile was created in 1973, before the urgent necessity to give support to the atrocities of Human Rights abuses, especially those of women.  Solidarity with political women, with their children and families, the creation of common waves in marginal populations, diffusion of information through testimonies, over the account of this time of dictatorship, during this period in the women’s jails a system of capacitation for which the women could complete their education was created.

WILPF Chilean Section is involved with 24 social activists and 23 social co-operators.  In the present period (October 2002), we function with a directive of 7 members, elected in October 2001.

Political Situation:

Since 1990 we have been in democracy, thanks to the popular movement that fought to end the military dictatorship of Pinochet, the country has suffered great changes, some positive, others negative. Already the labour laws have been dictated that are not always in favor of the workers. 

The Ministry of the Woman (SERNAM) was created, and it was thought that this organization could profoundly change the agreements of Beijinns, but still many remain that do not have solutions.  Now, we have 3 women’s ministries, 1 in Education, another in Defense, and the third in Exterior Relations. The suspension reached 9.4%, and has brought huge mobilizations in front of the actual government.

The economy if we are in better conditions than the rest of the region ( South America ) it’s not less than certain that our economy suffers the hardships of the world economy and its consequences. There is a project about the divorce law that is encountered in Congress that already has been approved by the Lower Chamber and in these moments is for discussion, in the Senate.

Objectives:

In general the objective that we have fixed upon, you have had to see with the principles that you entrusted to us.

Like for example:

•     Unite the women without discrimination of any kind, in an effort in favor of Peace and Freedom
   Promote the respect of Human Rights and dignity of the woman in all aspects
   Spreading the promulgation of laws in favor of women and family
  Respect for infancy rights
   Respect the rights and dignity of the indigenous communities
    Ferment the respect made in the environment
      Stimulate the capacity of the workers, in the general feeling
• Support all the initiatives in favor of World Peace

Activities:

1. For a culture of Peace  

           a) A campaign of signatures for the peace in the Middle East was created

b) Conference in October to December 2001. Conferences and workshops were held, letters and assistance to groups of reflection about peace

2. Human Rights

Letters of repute sent across the mediums of communication (radio), by means that can give fear against the Nigerian Safiga Usein.

- Assistance to the conferences about Women’s Rights and their towns, one of these given by Rigoberta Manchu.

- Support and assistance to the International Conference of Human Rights (January 2002).

- Active participation during the process of diffusion about actions realized in the military government with the missing persons, (Caravan of Death).

3. Economic and Social justice

--Democratization of the society.

- Arrangements have been made for the participation of the women in different ambits.

- We are alert to detect laws that are harmful to women’s rights.

4. Environment

- Participation in Congresses and seminars known as RENACE (National Network of the Environment)

- WILPF in their Chilean section is the sponsor of the National Network of the Environment.

- They have also participated in marches against the creation of the drain of waste.

5. Workshops

- There have been 2 workshops about the Peace at the root of the events of September 11 in New York .

- Conference about Globalization and how it affects women.

- Assistance in seminar about the unemployed in Chile .

6. Contacts with other women’s organizations

- Participation in meetings, seminars, and workshops with national organizations of women, indigenous women, ANMUR, Institute of Women, United Center of Workers (CUT), Feminine Department.  We have a society that forms part of the directive.

UNICEF: Contact with the director to carry out activities together.

For this, we asked you, WILPF International, to send a note of presentation and acceptance from the directive of LIMPAL Chile . 

•      Formalize and modernize commissions of work
        Childhood and Adolescence. 
      Work with families. 
•    Work with people of the 3rd age

• Continue with work and activities programmed in 2002.
  - Support a culture of peace.
  - Continue with the defense of Human Rights.
  - Prepare and integrated the Preparation Commission of the 8th of
•   March.