The September WIM meeting focused on the UN Women's Conference in Beijing. Three WIM members, Jo Coffey, Karil Daniels and Diana Wynne, who attended the NGO (non government organization) Forum in Huairou spoke at the September 19 meeting, sharing their slides and stories from the journey to China.For those women who were disappointed and frustrated by negative reports in the press, the evening revealed a welcome surprise.
In contrast to media coverage suggesting a rain-drenched and disorganized event suffocated by intrusive surveillance, whose only highlight was a speech from Hillary, Diana Wynne describes an animated and inspirational Forum: "Each day involved nearly 400 organized workshops and a number of impromptu ones. 26,000 women arrived, found our ways around, and got to know each other. The women's movement is alive and thriving worldwide."
Jo Coffey's description echoed a similar exuberance: "There was a euphoric sense of community with these women from all over the world. Art was everywhere-on fences, on women-there was performance and music, and good vibes."
In fact, the domestic media depictions of the conference were surprising to attendees. As Jo explains, "the reporting by much of our press did not accurately reflect what was going onÑit was more negative than the events justified." Local news coverage of the event is available on the web at the San Jose Mercury and at the Chronicle, (run a search with the Keywords women and Beijing).
As Diana Wynne reflects, "I think the most important issue is that women's lives and issues aren't considered as important as men's, and this was reflected in the lack of serious coverage. We didn't go to China to exchange recipes. And realizing that 26,00 were able to make this trip, we weren't going to let a little rain or language barriers or police surveillance get in the way of the work we had come to do."Karil Daniels, producer and director, attended the NGO Forum as a videographer for a coalition of spiritual women's organizations. For Karil, the hardships of the forum, the relentless rain and ubiquitous mud, actually contributed to the dynamics and energy of the event. "Certain difficulties built muscle," she recalls, "When you go through difficulties, the extra strain placed on your patience and endurance bring forth special abilities." For Karil, the adversity of the environment enhanced the bonds between women, emphasizing the extraordinary sense of a shared experience in the face of many obstacles.
Where conventional media failed to reflect the charisma and commitment of the conference, new mediaÑthe InternetÑdemonstrated the capacity to extend the vitality and substance of the conference beyond borders of China, around the globe. From the beginning, moderated email lists like the Beijing95-L list server provided a structure for dialogue, networking, and up-to-date information amidst last minute changes. "I'm convinced that without email connections," reflects Diana Wynne, I would never have gone to Beijing." (An index of mailing lists is available ).
Websites, like those of Womensnet, the US Delegation , the UN and OneWorld, contained in-depth background information about the conference and full text drafts of speeches and the platform for action. During the event, daily updates could be found at http://www.iisd.ca/linkages/women.html. In addition, the links contained within these websites begin to suggest the truly international flavor and global identities represented at the conference. Women's organizations from around the world were linked through the websites.
Although the women of the NGO Forum have left Huairou , these websites remain. The information and the links from these websites serve a valuable role in carrying forward the work and goals of the conference. The opportunities for what Karil Daniels calls "spontaneous sisterhood and fabulous creative bursts" and the "delight and excitement of meeting women from over 180 countries" continue to be available over the Internet.
The successful completion of the draft platform for action is in many respects just another step, albeit a large one, in the continued efforts to address and resolve the status of women around the world. Locally and off the net, there are many ways to join and support the cause for women's rights. Diana Wynne suggests many strategies for women who would like to become involved, including supporting companies and advertisers that portray women and girls favorably, supporting women in government and corporations, publishing your own writing, displaying your art, and raising your voice: "Each time a woman speaks up, it gives dozens of other women the courage to take ourselves seriously and do the same."
Copyright 1995-1996 G Marks. All Rights Reserved.