Asia Pacific Women's Solidarity Network launched
By Pip Hinman
SYDNEY — The Asia Pacific Women's Solidarity Network (APWSN) has held its first meeting to help progressive women in the region cement their links. The meeting was attended by women from progressive women's organisations and political parties attending the Asia Pacific Solidarity Conference on April 10-13.
As governments in the region are linked, and united in their desire to increase corporate profits at the expense of women's rights, women also need to unite to fight for their rights.
The network includes Ana Maria Nemenzo from the Philippines-based Akbayan! (Citizen's Action Party), Dita Sari from the Indonesian People's Democratic Party (PRD) and Maria Menezes from Fretilin. Australian activists from reproductive rights, anti-nuclear and international solidarity campaigns have also signed up.
In recognition of the outstanding role of Dita Sari, who is president of the Indonesian Centre for Labour Struggles, a central leader of the PRD and one of two female political prisoners in dictator Suharto's jails, she has been chosen as honorary chairperson of the network.
The APWSN aims to build links between women's movements and campaigns for women's liberation in the region, exchange information and experiences, and work together around important dates such as International Women's Day.
If you support these aims and want to become a sponsor, please send your name and postal or electronic address to APWSN, c/- PO Box 515, Broadway NSW 2008, email