Iraqi, Turkish women workers unite

On the occasion of 8 March, International Women’s Day, ICEM organized a workshop for women of ICEM affiliates from Iraq and Turkey. The workshop was held with the support of the American Solidarity Center. Turkish affiliate Petrol-?? hosted the meeting and helped with logistics. Twelve women traveled from Iraq to Istanbul to celebrate International Women’s Day. A march was conducted through the streets of Istanbul and stretched further than the eye could see. ICEM Executive Committee member Hashmeyia Muhsin Saadawi of Iraq was instrumental in putting the meeting together.

At workshops held on 9 and 10 March, Turkish and Iraqi women worked on topics involving mostly women’s health and trade union rights. The meeting was held against the backdrop of the financial crisis. Gender differences are striking within crisis – the economic crisis affects women and men differently, the food crisis affects women and men differently, and health affects women and men differently. Gender differences between women and men in employment mean that men and women do not do the same job. This is particularly striking in times of crisis.