Campaigns of Affiliated Organizations: Women mobilizing for women

This year on March 8th we marked the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day. In Chile, this important anniversary will be remembered most for the mobilization that took place, of women activists helping those who have been most affected by the earthquake.

The March 8th Feminist Coalition called for a new commemoration of International Woman’s Day, with a different focus: they asked collaborators to donate specific goods to women affected by the tragedy. Feminist partners made financial contributions, donated products needed for everyday life and extended their aid to children and senior citizens.

Donations were channeled to Talca to be distributed by the women there. "Thank you so much for your package, you don’t know how much I needed a gift." These are the words that a woman from the island Juan Fernandez used to thank us for the package of aid that she received after the earthquake. The women of the island received 215 "woman’s packages" that contained contraceptives, sanitary pads, personal hygiene supplies and little presents like aromatic soap or lotion. This initiative, lead by Mari Lopez and Angeles Nuño of the radio station "Efecto Picaflor" (Butterfly Effect) was not only a practical donation. Both the women who sent and the women who received this aid expressed through letters the meaning of sending and receiving these little everyday treasures.

Another initiative that in recent days has continued bringing women together is the "Frazada Solidaria" (Solidarity Blanket). Knitted wool squares have been joined to form the blankets that are being sent to affected regions. If you would like to participate in this solidarity knitting, you can bring your squares of 20x20cm to the Fondo Alquimia house (Condell 1325, Providencia). For more information, you can call 7-6240475 or 6-8468054. As soon as the earthquake occurred, women’s organizations began trying to communicate with their members and using their resources to help them. ANAMURI (The National Association of Rural and Indigenous Women) was one of these organizations. The structure of this organization has allowed them to collect information about the situation of each member of their network. With this information, they have launched a "Permanent Solidarity Campaign." One of their first actions has been to organize a caravan to the south with food, water and clothing. These supplies were sent out the first week of March. In order to fundraise, ANAMURI is using this account: Banco Estado n° 32360562467, in name of the treasury of the organization Florencia Arostica and Mafalda Galdames, Director of the Organization. These funds will be used exclusively to help women in the affected regions.

The school of midwives also has an organizational structure that has allowed them to be in contact with their affiliated schools throughout the affected regions. With information from the VII and VIII regions, and hoping to widen this information to other affected areas, the school has launched a campaign amongst its members to help midwives who lost their houses in the earthquake. Donations can be directed towards the account of the Colegio de Matronas, Banco Estado Nº 188.000.