Women’s International meets in Namibia, prepares for upcoming congress

Windhoek, Namibia
August 2019

Leaving Namibia felt humbling and exciting, Namibia being a shining example of what revolutionaries can accomplish. The friendship and love shown between comrades Sam Nujoma and Fidel Castro continues in the solidarity between the Cuban and the Namibian peoples. Their revolutionary energy is intoxicating. On this sacred ground, the World Steering Committee of the Women’s International Democratic Federation/Federación Democrática Internacional de Mujeres (WIDF/FDIM) met in Windhoek, Namibia, from Aug. 9 to Aug. 12, to draft resolutions for our upcoming congress to ratify and spread worldwide. 

Representatives from Asia, Africa, the Arab world, Europe, the Americas and the Caribbean presented their resolutions from their respective regions. This is the first of a series of articles to follow.

Cuba demanded an end to the U.S. blockade and for U.S. imperialism to stop pressuring Cuba to withdraw their support for Venezuela in exchange for the lifting of sanctions against Cuba. As Alicia Campos, representing the Federation of Cuban Women, put it, “We will never sacrifice our principles.” 

Christina, representing the Organization of Argentinian Women, shared her joy as news that the Front for Victory, which is an alliance of several progressive groups in Argentina, had won their primary election, which preceded the national election in November. This was a great blow to the right-leaning opposition. Besides this, Argentina, as well as many other countries, demanded an end to U.S. sanctions on Venezuela and recognition of the duly elected government led by President Nicolás Maduro. 

The European countries united around the demand to end imperialism in all its forms, from the U.S. and NATO as well as the European Union. 

The Arab countries demanded a free Palestine and a solution which will include land and reparations to the Palestinian people. 

A strong denunciation of U.S. imperialism was felt throughout the many resolutions, including from the Americas and the Caribbean, bringing attention to the colonial status of Puerto Rico and demanding independence and reparations from the U.S. 

The Turkish delegation joined a demand from Cyprus to end Turkish occupation of that island nation as well as an end to all imperialist wars.