"Feminism without borders" is the slogan for this year's edition of the Manifa feminist demonstration held annually in Polish cities in connection with International Women's Day on March 8.
Participants in the marches held this Sunday carried anti-war slogans, along with slogans against "everything that restricts our lives and bodies".
In the city of Wrocław, a speech before the march referred thus to Russia's aggression against Ukraine: "Argumenting occupation of a neighbouring state by the desire to introduce perverted norms is yet another reason why feminists in all of Russia must stand to oppose this war with all their strength. Feminists are nowadays one of few active political forces in Russia (...) We appeal to support the feminist anti-war resistance, join forces against the war and the government which began it".
Manifa is the name applied to demonstrations held in cities throughout Poland in connection with March 8 International Women's Day. The name is an abbreviation for the word "manifestacja", as used by the anti-government opposition in the 1980s. The first Manifa in support of women's rights was held in the year 2000.
International Women's Day was first proposed at the at the 1910 International Socialist Woman's Conference in Copenhagen as a way of expressing respect to women struggling for equal rights, including the right to vote.
In Poland, after the transformations of 1989 the popularity of March 8 waned, however it has returned as a focal point for women's rights, with gatherings and marches organized in many cities, mainly on the initiative of feminist groupings.
Manifa in Warsaw is scheduled for March 20.
The Tri-City Manifa which marched in Gdańsk was joined by a representation of the Association of Ukrainians in Poland. As the organizers of the march said: "the attack of Putin's army on Ukraine has underscored the message of peace of this year's demonstrations, which is 'stop war and violence'. (...) This year we have a special understanding for "feminism without borders" as solidarity with all refugees, men and women, those from Ukraine, Africa, the Middle East and Afghanistan. We remember them all".
In her speech, Dr Marta Koval from the Association of Ukrainians said "800 kilometres from here is the Ukrainian border which today is the border between peace and war. (...) There is a great burden on the shoulders of Ukrainian women. Their husbands, brothers, sons are going to the front, so they must take responsibility for the children and older people and everyone who needs help".
She also said that earlier on Sunday she had received the news that a group of five women volunteers driving to Kyiv had been shot. The oldest of the women had been 22.
Source: PAP