Brazil: During the march from Vinhedo to Louveira, the women discuss the struggle against agribusiness

A funeral drumming session opened on Thursday (11) the third day's walk of the World March of Women through the Anhanguera highway. After having walked 11 kilometers from Campinas to Valinhos on Monday, and 14 kilometers between Valinhos and Vinhedo yesterday, the two thousand supporters who participate in the 3rd International Action easily conquered the eight kilometers that separate Vinhedo and Louveira. The initial silence, marked by the rhythmic tap of the Fuzarca Feminista, was a tribute to the murdered women throughout the world, and a sign of support for feminists of Mexico, who launched this month a campaign against femicide.

According to the delegation rotation, today it was the turn for the walkers from the Federal District and Tocantins to start the march. The words of order called by them highlighted the fight against corruption and fight for the protection of the Cerrado, family agriculture and agrarian reform. The main spokeswoman for the caucus in Congress was reminded several times by Tocantins, who sang: "You do not want, neither do I me, to hear from Kátia Abreu”.

Training activities
The ten simultaneous panel discussions that took place yesterday during the training activities (from 16 to 19h) in Vinhedo represented the diversity of cultures and themes that mark the World March of Women. The subject was the solidarity and feminist economy; women's health and common care practices; sexuality, autonomy and freedom; non-sexist and non-racist education; black women and the fight against racism; indigenous women; the media and counter-hegemonic feminist struggle; the commodification of the body and life of women; prostitution; and women, arts and culture.

disscussion pannels in Vinhedo

Olga Macuxi, from Roraima, shared the experience of women warriors who participated in the struggle for ratification of the Raposa Serra do Sol and talked about the process of organization of the indigenous women's movement. "The OMIR [Organization of Indigenous Women of Roraima] started an awareness campaign against alcohol in the villages. The drink is linked to most cases of violence against women and prostitution”, said Olga. In addition to the Indian state of Roraima, there are also women of the people Sateré-Maue (Amazonas) and the people Tupinambá (Bahia).

In the tent where the black women met, the mining militant Maria Teresa emphasized the importance of incorporating the anti-prison issue in women's movements. "Out of the 46.000 prisoners of Minas Gerais, 38.000 are black. For prisoners, the ill-treatment is even more intense. Unlike men, they are not entitled to conjugal visits and, if they are lesbians and kissing, they spend a week in solitary confinement. If they are caught in a more intimate contact, the punishment lasts three months”, she said. “I have four biological children and four adopted children. One of them began to steal. The company never thanked me for the seven responsible citizens who created it, but I'm tired of hearing 'she had to be black, that’s why her son is a thief'," vented Maria Teresa.
The political resistance in popular culture was the axis of the debate on women, arts and culture, which was attended by a special guest: singer and songwriter Ellen Oler. "With the feijoada, black women were able to transform meal remains into the most famous dish in Brazilian cuisine," said the celebrated singer. "With our struggle, we conquer many achievements. Having a black protagonist in a soap opera, for example, is something positive. Without examining the contents, at least now a black girl is no longer asked to her mother if she can be a model because she will already know that yes, she can", said Ellen.

This afternoon, a great debate about single women's work and economic independence will bring together the two thousand walkers. Sociologist Helena Hirata will contribute to the discussion. Tomorrow at 6 am, the World March of Women will be back on the streets, now heading towards Jundiaí. The final destination is São Paulo, on March 18th.