International Women’s Day: Struggle for equality against class exploitation

On Thursday 10^th March mass rallies were held in dozens of Greek cities highlighting the modern content of the struggle of the labour movement for women’s emancipation. The rallies were organised by All Workers’ Militant Front (PAME) as well as Greek Women’s’ Federation (OGE), All Farmers’ Militant Rally (PASY), Nationwide Antimonopoly Rally of the Self-employed (PASEVE) and Student’s Struggle Front (MAS).

Over the last years women have experienced new inequalities, new burdens. Women of all ages and especially young women suffer the unbearable consequences of the economic crisis, witness the abolition of several rights they used to have while the life of young couples has been transformed into a hell. “The mass participation of women from the popular strata in the struggle will bring dynamics, effectiveness, sensitivity and acuteness” stated Aleka Papariga at the mass rally in Athens.

Speech of the General Secretary of KKE at the working women in “DOMUS” factory

The real equality between women and men is gained in the joint struggle for another path of development, for the abolition of the monopolies’ power and the capitalist mode of production that constantly deepens the exploitation of all workers and women in particular. From that point of view “the people must become aware of their power. As long as they don’t realise their power and they do not risk to struggle things will get worse” stressed the General Secretary of the CC of KKE during her discussion with the women in “DOMUS”, a metal locks factory in Piraeus.

Aleka Papariga visited the factory on the occasion of the International Women’s Day and received a warm welcome by the women who gathered in the production site. The General Secretary of the CC of KKE discussed with them and answered their questions.

After her visit in the factory Aleka Papariga made the following statement on the International Women’s Day on 8^th March:

“This day reminds the capitalist system that the biggest success that women achieved is equality in theory. Nevertheless, over the last years this equality was swept out of the way since women experience new inequalities, new burdens. It is not a coincidence that women of all ages and especially young women suffer unbearable consequences of the economic crisis, witness the abolition of several rights they used to have while the life of young couples has been transformed into a hell.

(Photographs from the mass rallies in Athens and other cities and the visit of Aleka Papariga in “DOMUS” factory in Piraeus)

11/3/2011