Three and a half years after witnessing hardship in a third world country, Tomoko Nishida, an Ohio University graduate now doing social work in Chicago, is still touched by the collective strength and leadership of the women in Nicaraguan villages. They were extremely hospitable, even though they didn't have much, she said.
One woman she stayed with took care of seven children in a shack the size of a bathroom, she said.
August 12 to 22, a delegation of Athens students and residents will return to Nicaragua to learn about globalization and women's rights. Witness for Peace, a Washington-based non-profit organization that examines U.S. policy in Latin America, will organize the group with United Campus Ministries.
In this era of corporate globalization and U.S. political and economic domination
it is important for us to witness the impact of U.S. policy and understand how our lives in the U.S. are connected to people especially women and children in poorer countries
said Melissa Wales, UCM program coordinator.
Nicaragua is at a stranglehold for economic development
and women suffer more than men from the poverty, Wales said.
Wales, who has led two previous trips to Nicaragua and Cuba said the women in Nicaragua are the glue that holds society together.
Most of us share the common and unfortunate factor that we do a disproportionate amount of work in the home
Wales said. They're doing it with added hardships.
Several women have to work in foreign-owned garment factories, or maquiladoras, to help support their families while their husbands take care of their farms, said Melinda St. Louis, advocacy and campaign coordinator for Witness for Peace. Delegates will get a chance to examine the conditions in these factories.
The reality is they are very overworked and underpaid
Nishida said.
The factories are located in free-trade zones dominated by larger, industrialized countries interested in cheap labor and breaking down barriers such as environmental laws, said Wales.
Large U.S. corporations such as Gap Inc. and Kohl's have contracts with the factories.
It is important that the women have labor unions, and yet they are sometimes fired for speaking out for their rights, Nishida said.
We believe our role is to bring the stories of women and how they are impacted by U.S. policy back to the U.S.
said St. Louis.
Program administrators, who are still accepting applications, offer possible course credit for the trip.
17
Archives
