Haiti: Celebrate International Working Women’s Day

HAITI, March 20—To continue in the fight against sexism, the Progressive Labor Party (PLP) organized a gathering of about 100 people here today. Workers, teachers, college and high school students and other professionals took part in a militant day in support of the fight against sexism. This mobilization, presented in the form of a conference and cultural activities, was organized under the theme “Women in the Struggle and Leadership for a Just and Equal Society.” A young woman militant fighter, supporter of PLP, hosted the conference with a comrade from the Party.
Women & men unite to crush sexism with class struggle
 “The struggle of women is not the business of women. We want you to understand that the fight against sexism is also the struggle of men, it is the struggle of the working class,” insisted the comrades when making the invitations. In fact, almost 35 percent of the participants were men. This is in stark contrast to other activities organized by feminist groups influenced by capitalist ideologies which pit women against men and not against the capitalist system itself, which fuels sexism. For the most part, these groups remain attached to the idea that in the struggle for the rights of women, all women, bourgeois and workers, have the same interest. The PLP rejects these ideas. Thus, during the speech, one of the participants exclaimed, “I am for the fight for the respect of all, men and women.” Another woman denounced the domination of certain women over others based on their class membership.
The main presenter described the situation of women in politics and in the economic sphere. In this regard, several comrades clarified that in general it is women of the working class who are the victims. “[Wives of Haiti’s presidents] impose ministers in governments and directors. They have more power than many men,” noted one participant, to point out that not all women are in the same boat as some of the so-called feminists working on behalf of boss-funded organizations want us to believe. During the debate, in which men and women participated equally and with enthusiasm, many veils were lifted. The participants expressed their satisfaction and several of them promised to always take part in the activities that the Party organizes. Two young women, a student and a teacher, later indicated that they want to ​​join PLP and the fight for the international working class. A young lawyer who took part also showed his willingness to join us. Our Party is gaining the confidence of the masses every day and getting stronger and stronger. Capitalism will not be able to resist in face of the anger and hatred of the organized, revolutionary working masses.
Antisexist performances create excitement for May Day
Following the debates, one student performed a classic song about women in Haiti; then another high school student accompanied a comrade and a young guitarist teacher to recite poems about the fight against capitalism. Five young people from a rural area presented a theatrical scene describing the unfair conditions and treatment that women face at work. It told the story of a young woman working at a gas pump, doing the same job as a man, but earning far less. As the scene progressed, several spectators showed great anger at this harsh reality and expressed their solidarity with the young woman worker. Finally, a youth sang about the courage of women at dinner time, having to take care of their families after a long day of labor. This is one of the things that all agreed had to change: women must have equality at home as well as at work. Husbands and wives, sons and daughters must share domestic chores. After this rousing event, all shared in a delicious meal prepared and served by men as well as women.
A young student who participated in the event did not want to leave when her mother told her it was over and that they had to go. The young woman said that in this atmosphere of solidarity and sharing, she sees the world from a different perspective. The satisfaction with the day’s activities and the desire to live in a fair and equal world were visible on everyone’s face. “These are the kinds of activities that we need,” many said at the conclusion. They say they are waiting for May 1, when PLP will lead a May Day celebration here.
“When can everyone join the Party?” This is the question of a lawyer who for more than five years had been arguing with PLP comrades in defense of capitalism. He is coming to understand that we have to destroy this racist, sexist profit system, which is the source of famine, wars and crimes, the source of poverty and disease.
Our thoughts were with all the workers from all the countries destroyed in their souls by capitalism. Communism will come. Workers of the world, engage in class struggle, fight for communism!