more likely. For in war the inequality between men and women is increased. Men live and fight in the macho world of the army.
Violence is in fashion. The weapon becomes a symbol of virility, an extension of the male sexual organ. In contrast to this world of men there is the defenceless world of the civilian population, women, children, then old and sick.
At tirst enemy women are raped, often in public or in front SEVENTY women attended a cande-lit vigil last Wednesday organised by Women against War Crime, to fight against the use of rape in ex- Yugoslavia.
besn as a response to the mounting evidence of rape; but the group inlands to campaign for help and support lor all women abused in war, and other political crises, irrespective of their nationality, ethnic origin or religion.
The campaign aims arecrises r strategy ton of rape as a war crime groups across internationa/ borders and sexual violence.
• to provide resources and aid to women in war • to take action against the abuse of women as • to campaign for the recognition and prosecu- aids to organise • to support links among women and peace eto campaign against immigration restrictions for women war refugees seeking asylum from rape Next the campeign is organising a women-only march from Hyde Park to Trafalger! Square, Sunday 7 Harms areamhn Sonsore Corner 1cm.
Anther group, Wormen's Aid to ex-Yugoslavia practical help to women in ex-Yugoslavia, incuding rape counseling and aid to Mugees, For further information contact Women Against War Crime. Box 110, 190 Upper St, London N1 1RQ. Tel: 071 700 2800.
• Women's Aid to former Yu son Rd, Southampton, S02 1GW. Tel: 0703 551094 No. 38 Feb 27, 1993
ON 18 MARCH 1871, the working people of Paris took power into their own hands.
n the words of the Communards, the workers "understood that it was their imperious duty and their absolute right to render themselves master of their own destinies by seizing upon the governmental With the average working woman forced to labour thirteen hours a day for a pittance -and having to buy her needles ana tread outo. ner wares if is no wonder that Parisian working women moonisca as a force on the side of the revolExcluded from citizenship, deprived of an education, often defrauded of their wages and forced to supplement them by clergy. The story of the Paris Commune of 187i cannot be told without pointing to the role of women in it In 1870 France and Prussia captured and the French Emy Prussian troops for 135 days of 1870, the people of Paris faced food and fuel shortages.
Two members of the First Infernanonal, rainare Lemel, a bookbinder, and Louise Michel, a teacher, organised soup kitchens. International WOMEN'S DAY 1993 plans it outlined, and began to set up are a testimony to the power of therevolutionarygovernment. Advocating the right of women to an education, they established an orphanage, and turned a girls' school into an experimental project.
Recognising the need to provide a technical education for the government orBanised workshops in some districts, where young women would apprentice to a trade. A professional school of indus trial arts was openca Tor women. It gave instructions in drawing, sculpture and carving.
A plan to reorganise aay nurseries was outlined. Seeing that the existing nurseries were not organise for the children, they suggested that nurseries pro vide gardens, bird houses and brightly coloured toys for the children. They suggested that young women who enjoyed working with children be assiste to work in the nursery de the ratio of one woman for overv ten children Unemployment was a major the Empire. The cooperatives and workshops set up during the siege of Paris provided the basis for reaching out and caring for the thousands of unemployed women.
The Clubs, disbanded for a the Parts Commune. Many of them were open only. to women. They were the "stockpiles of fire and courage" for the