| The Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace is proud to have supported the World March of Women, based on the World Demands of the international platform. Our involvement grew out of our work in the Third World and our development education, which help women and their communities in the South struggle against poverty and violence.
The World March of Women on October 17, 2000, was the culmination of an historic worldwide mobilisation. It is already having an impact on the work of women's groups in the South where international solidarity is critical.
More than 6000 women's groups in 161 countries, women of many faiths and beliefs, united across great differences to build common ground through dialogue. This common ground allowed us to achieve a powerful momentum. The March's yearlong educational campaign called for response from national governments, international bodies such as the United Nations, and people everywhere, to the suffering of women. Development and Peace is honoured to have assisted Third World Women to have a strong voice in the March.
Yet the struggle against poverty and violence against women is complex and rooted in many national and international structures and practices. Change will happen over the long term. Women's groups around the world continue to work for justice in many ways. Now that the March, as it was planned at the beginning is over, and that we are entering a new phase, the follow-up plans of the International Organizing Committee of the WMW – 2000 are not clearly articulated.
Development and Peace has learned that the International Organizing Committee has responded to President Bush’s funding cuts to international family planning projects by calling on national WMW organizing committees to rally in support of access to abortion services. Development and Peace as a Catholic organization opposes this call.
Development and Peace clearly stated during the educational campaign leading up to the March that we oppose the use of any aspect of any international demand to support abortion or access to abortion services. In this new context, Development and Peace dissociates itself from future action of the International Organizing Committee of the WMW -2000.
Faithful to its mission, Development and Peace renews its support for women's efforts to end violence and bring about peace with justice for all. We stand with our sisters, particularly those in the Third World, and we do so always on the basis of our profound belief in the sacredness of all life.
Toronto, February 7, 2001.
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