Daisies’ March expected to bring together 100,000 women in Brasília
Over 100,000 Brazilian women, alongside delegates from 33 countries, are set to convene this Tuesday (Aug. 15) and Wednesday in Brasília for the 7th Daisies’ March (Marcha das Margaridas). Organized by the National Confederation of Agricultural Workers (Contag), linked federations and unions, along with 16 collaborating entities, this quadrennial event carries the theme "Reconstructing Brazil and Pursuing Prosperity" for its 2023 edition.
Among the participants are rural workers, indigenous peoples, quilombolas, riverine inhabitants, landless individuals, extractivists, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and urban residents. For Contag, this march stands as the most expansive women's political demonstration in Latin America.
Demands
The "daisies" have articulated their primary demands for this year, which are structured across 13 distinct political axes, slated for discussion during the two-day event. These encompass: Ensuring land access democratization and safeguarding territorial rights; Championing nature preservation with an emphasis on environmental and climate justice; Advocating for gender- and race-sensitive public education while securing the right to education in rural areas; and Promoting universal internet access and fostering digital inclusion.
Mazé Morais, the General Coordinator of the Daisies’ March and Secretary of Women at Contag, shared insights in an interview with Agência Brasil. She elaborated on the march's anticipation and the agenda crafted through numerous meetings conducted nationwide since 2021. "We have constructed a comprehensive agenda, submitted to the federal government on June 21. This government aligns with the popular democratic movement. Our aspiration rests on the hope that during the march's concluding segment, the authorities can indeed unveil substantial pronouncements concerning impactful public policies, pivotal programs, and significant initiatives that resonate across the women's lives throughout Brazil," Morais emphasized.
Inspiration
Since the year 2000, the march has been bestowed with the name of Margarida Maria Alves, the former president of the Rural Workers' Union of Alagoa Grande in Paraíba state. Tragically, on August 12, 1983, she fell victim to assassination as a consequence of her advocacy for the rights of her fellow laborers. Subsequently, she has evolved into an emblematic figure representing the resilience of countless men and women who pursue justice and human dignity. While suspicion looms over local landowners as potential culprits, the crime remains unresolved, with the orchestrators yet to face conviction to this day.
The Margarida Maria Alves case garnered attention at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights of the Organization of American States (OAS). In April 2020, the commission released Merits Report 31/20, addressing the case. The report established that the Brazilian State bears responsibility for infringing upon Margarida Alves' rights to life, personal integrity, protection, and judicial safeguards, along with those of the individuals mentioned in the international dossier. Additionally, the report furnished recommendations to the Brazilian state encompassing comprehensive compensation for the victim's kin, a thorough and effective investigation to unveil the truth behind the incident, and bolstering the Protection Program for Human Rights Defenders, with a particular emphasis on averting acts of violence.
