On March 8, 2004 International Women's Day

Strengthen international solidarity and advance the anti-imperialist movement!

On this International Women's Day (IWD) 2004, the ILPS takes the opportunity to call on all democratic and anti-imperialist formations and other sisters and brothers around the world to take up the historic challenge of IWD and advance the struggle for women's liberation and the liberation of all oppressed and exploited peoples.

On this IWD 2004, we face a grave "new world order" of plunder, wars of aggression, heightened militarization, and criminalization of struggles for national and social liberation masked by the guise of anti-terrorism hysteria. The invasion and occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan have caused the massive destruction of homes, the means of livelihood, factories, water systems, power plants, communications, office buildings and other civilian infrastructure. The deployment of American troops in the Philippines is really aimed at suppressing the revolutionary movement and has only increased the rate of sexual exploitation and trafficking of Filipino women and children. The US and its imperialist allies have threatened and carried out subversion, military aggression and occupation against Colombia, Haiti, Korea, Cuba and countries or peoples that stand in their way. These military threats and aggression have led to massive migration of refugees who then face discrimination and persecution in the receiving countries.

On this IWD 2004, marginalized and working class women - especially those in the dependent countries - face a never-ending barrage of attacks on their lives. They suffer from inhumane working conditions on the factory floor and destruction of land and livelihood through mega-projects destined to benefit only the ruling classes. Women in the imperialist countries are facing massive privatization and destruction of social programs that were won through hard struggle.

On this IWD 2004, we name the number one enemy of women, of the oppressed and the exploited peoples - US imperialism. We name the number one terrorist - US imperialism. We denounce US imperialism and its reactionary allies in fomenting rising fascism and national, religious and racial chauvinism. Its actions deepen the exploitation and oppression of marginalized and working class women and further divide the broad masses of the people.

As the major contradictions in the world sharpen, we see the ripening conditions for an upsurge in resistance. On this IWD 2004, we raise the call to advance a militant and anti-imperialist women's movement. We can no longer stand behind a veil of silence. We can no longer allow the women's struggle to be separated from the struggle of the broad masses of people. We can no longer accept a women's movement that only calls for reform or parliamentary change.

We take heart in the advancing wave of resistance rocking the globe and pledge our support to building a movement against imperialist war and plunder. This is truly the way to achieve the liberation of women and all oppressed peoples. Representing over 250 mass organizations from over 40 countries in the global regions of Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Europe, the ILPS makes a specific call to its member organizations to participate in the upcoming protests on March 20 International Day of Action, on the first anniversary of US-UK occupation of Iraq!

Despite these difficult times, women in the imperialist and the oppressed countries must come together in solidarity to build the anti-imperialist movement, locally, nationally and internationally. Women! We must assert our desire for genuine peace and freedom. We must heighten our struggle for our democratic and human rights. We must stand behind the countless women who have built a militant movement for social transformation. We must take our rightful place in the struggle for national and social liberation and offer our genuine support and solidarity with those undertaking all forms of struggle - especially those who are risking their lives in revolutionary movements that deal the heaviest blows to imperialism.

Down with US imperialism, No.1 enemy of all peoples of the world!
Advance the struggle for a renewed and militant women's movement!
Down with all imperialist powers and all reactionaries!
Long live international solidarity!

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