EAST ASIA-US-PUERTO RICO WOMEN’S NETWORK AGAINST MILITARISM

     Herstory

The East Asia-US-Puerto Rico Women's Network Against Militarism was formed in 1997 when 40 women activists, policy-makers, teachers, and students from South Korea, Okinawa, mainland Japan, the Philippines and the United States gathered in Okinawa to strategize together about the negative effects of the U.S. Military in each of our countries. In 2000, Puerto Rican women who opposed the U.S. Navy bombing training on the island of Vieques also joined. The Network is not a membership organization, but collaboration among women active in our own communities. Our 5th international meeting will be in the Philippines, November 2004.

     Principles

We envision a world of genuine security based on justice, respect for others across national boundaries and economic planning based on local people's needs, especially the needs of women and children. Genuine security arises from the following principles:
1. The environment in which we live is able to sustain human and natural life;
2. People's basic needs for food, clothing, shelter, health care, and education are met;
3. People's fundamental human dignity and respect for cultural identities are honored;
4. People and the natural environment are protected from avoidable harm.

     Misson

Our mission is to promote, model, and protect genuine security by creating an international women's network of solidarity against militarism. To strengthen our common consciousness and voice by sharing our experiences and making critical connections among militarism, imperialism, and systems of oppression and exploitation based on gender, class, and nation.


     Goals

To contribute to the creation of a society free of militarism, violence, and all forms of sexual exploitation, in order to guarantee the rights of marginalized people, particularly women and children, and to ensure the safety, well-being, and long term sustainability of our communities.

     Actions

Activities of participating organizations include the provision of services and support, public education and protest, research and lobbying, litigation, promoting alternative economic development, and networking.

Through our actions we seek to:

1. promote solidarity and a healing process among the diversity of women who are impacted by militarism and violence;

2. integrate our common understandings into relationships in the Network and in our daily lives;

3. promote leadership development and self-determination among all the sisters of the Network;

4. initiate and support local and international efforts against militarism;

5. strengthen our work by exploring our diverse historical, social, political, and economic experiences in the context of each country