Manila, Philippines
11 November, 2015

Today, the International Women’s Alliance (IWA) – a global alliance of militant grassroots-based women’s organizations, institutions, alliances, networks and individuals held their Second General Assembly in Quezon City, Metro Manila Philippines. IWA members are committed to strengthen international solidarity of women against imperialist crisis and war. Founded in 2010, the Alliance is composed of over 100 organizations of women workers, peasants and rural women, urban poor, migrants, indigenous and minority nationalities, youth, professionals, academicians and other marginalized and poor women, from Asia Pacific, Africa, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, North America and Oceania.

One Billion Rising has been taken up and integrated into International Women’s Day events by IWA member groups across the US and the world. And this year IWA member groups will be continuing to Rise for Revolution for marginalized and grassroots women around the globe.

Eve Ensler, Founder of V-Day and One Billion Rising, and Monique Wilson, OBR Director are both invited individual members of IWA.

Today, 80 members from the following countries: Ecuador, Philippines, India, Germany, Netherlands, Nepal, USA, Hong Kong, Pakistan, Taiwan, Belgium, Japan, Malaysia, Kurdistan, South Korea and Palestine met to develop IWA into an international organization capable of representing the women of the different regions in exposing and opposing the impact of the attacks of neoliberal policies in the national, regional and international scope.

As the crisis of the world capitalist system intensifies, IWA’s key issues and focus are on militarism and war; women in trade; migrants, immigrants and refugees and the climate crisis in the context of the heightened economic plunder.

IWA delegates from 16 countries Rising for Revolution!

IWA delegates from 16 countries Rising for Revolution!

IWA delegates from 16 countries Rising for Revolution!

Monique Wilson, OBR Global Director

Monique Wilson, OBR Global Director

Monique Wilson, OBR Global Director

Monique Wilson, OBR Global Director

Keynote speaker: Leila Khaled, of the Palestinian Women's Union (joined by Joms Salvador on the left, GABRIELA Secretary General and Liza Maza, IWA Chairperson)

Keynote speaker: Leila Khaled, of the Palestinian Women’s Union (joined by Joms Salvador on the left, GABRIELA Secretary General and Liza Maza, IWA Chairperson)

Leila Khaled from Palestine

Leila Khaled from Palestine

Liza Maza from the Philippines

Liza Maza from the Philippines