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From July 12 to 16, 2024, members of the MMTC International Council met in Murcia, Spain, for their annual meeting. Apart from Co-Chairman Tarcisio Njue Kithinji, who was unable to obtain a visa to travel to Spain, all other members were present. As usual, the Council was preceded by the preparatory meeting of the Bureau.
The opening session was attended and addressed by a number of personalities, including the representative of the local union working for health and safety at work, and HOAC's senior executives at both national and local level.
In their work, the councilors addressed a number of points, notably the life of the movements in the regions, the programming of activities, the finances at the service of projects, regional seminars, spiritual accompaniment, not forgetting the evaluation of the progress of activities in the past period.
Photos of the highlights of the meeting are attached.
Photo 1: Bureau members in Murcia
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The 112th ILO Conference is being held in Geneva from 3 to 14 June 2024. The tripartite discussions bring together representatives of governments, employers‘ unions and workers’ unions. NGOs also take part, without voting rights and as observers. 3 topics are proposed this year - fundamental principles and rights at work - biological hazards - decent work and the care economy. The WMCW, represented by Christine Isturiz, has chosen to follow the latter theme. The care economy accounts for 11% of global GDP and 381 million jobs worldwide, 3/4 of this unpaid work being done by women. Women are also very present in paid employment. Achieving gender equality is therefore a major challenge. The IYCW and CIJOC are also present.
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Acción pública en Francia realizada por el Colectivo "Ethique sur l'étiquette" #soldées
Humanity is living through its most dramatic moment since the industrial revolution of the 18th century, and life on the planet has never been so threatened.
The consumerism implemented by the capitalist mode of production, the accelerated destruction of our common home, Mother Earth, the concentration of wealth in the hands of 1% of the world's families, the advance of imperialism and its war industry, the investment of trillions of dollars to develop their domains and appropriate the natural resources of the peoples of Africa, Asia and Latin America are affecting our lives.
Alongside all this, the control of billions of people by algorithms, pushing them to live and believe in a parallel universe, where fake news becomes "truth", creating fertile ground for fascism. Just look at what has happened in Bolsonaro's Brazil, in today's Argentina, in Ecuador, El Salvador, Hungary and in the advance of the far right in civilized Europe.
In this frightening scenario, the serious leaders of the working class - who represent by far the majority of the world's exploited population - are looking for ways out, because they understand that this is a decisive moment in history.
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From 26 March to 31 March 2024, the Bureau met in the Rwandan capital, Kigali. In the margins of the meeting, the Bureau met with the MTC chaplain of the Archdiocese of Kigali and representatives of MTC-Rwanda. At the end of the meeting, the Bureau paid a 2-day visit to the Uganda Movement (CWM-UGANDA), a country bordering Rwanda. Below are photos of some of these activities.
Photo 1: Les membres du Bureau en compagnie des représentants du Comité national du MTC - Rwanda
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”Accelerating Gender Equality through Women’s Economic Justice”
The International Women Day comes every year as a global day established by the United Nations in 1972, to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women, while also making a call to action for strengthening gender equality and accelerating women’s empowerment. It is the opportunity to examine the pathways to greater inclusion for women and girls everywhere, as well as to unlock the capacities of women to learn, earn, lead, and ensure the goal of Social Justice in the Economy is met as key milestone of investing in women.
For almost a decade now, the World Movement of Christian Workers has been publishing a message to mark its solidarity with the efforts made by various institutions to empower women. This year's message is a testimony from the Movement in Rwanda to the situation of women in that country.
In Rwanda, Gender equality and women's empowerment are achievable goals in the journey of transformation. Since 2003, when Gender equality was included in the constitution, stipulating 30% female representation in decision-making organs, implementing policies for women's development has become easier where by this has driven stronger advocacy for women's issues, resulting in the adoption of gender-sensitive policies and affirmative actions.
Notably, initiatives in education and entrepreneurship offer collateral support for bankable projects, particularly benefiting women and youth, fostering their participation in leadership and economic development. These efforts have positioned Rwanda at the forefront, with the majority of female representation in parliament at 61.3%. Despite advancements in Gender equality, challenges still persist for women in both rural and urban areas regarding their participation in existing markets, control over productive resources, and access to decent work, hindering their economic justice. The latest labor force survey (LBS) in Rwanda indicates that although overall labor force participation stands at 52.9%, women's participation remains notably lower at 44.4%, compared to 62.5% for men.
In response to some of the above-mentioned barriers, MTC Rwanda and other likeminded stakeholders are implementing programs to accelerate women’s economic empowerment through empowering women and girls with financial literacy trainings, vocational trainings, agricultural value chain projects, support Saving and Loan groups and facilitate their linkage with financial institutions to boost their access to finance. In addition, women are also supported through business mentorship programs, professional tools and networks in order to turn their ideas into successful businesses. The policy advocacy is also done to ensure equitable conducive environment for both females and males’ economic development.
Justice and fairness, in all their forms, are virtues that we Christians are called to cultivate, practice and disseminate (Proverbs 21:3; Micah 6:8). Let us unite and continue the fight for a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination, negative gender, cultural and social norms. A world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge Social Justice in the Economy for Women’s Lives.
Message written by MTC - RWANDA
Pictures by MTC Rwanda
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Let's hope for Christmas!
What is Christmas?
Are God, Father Christmas and Jesus some kind of Superman?
Christmas is a time of hope for the residents of our neighbourhoods, working together to improve their daily lives.
Christmas is a time of hope for children's dreams: dreams of extended families, dreams of shared gardens and towns in bloom, dreams of neighbourhood festivities! (...)
Waiting for the Saviour, In the Saviour's tent,
Let's prepare for Christmas!
What is Christmas?
What was the shepherds' compass on Christmas night?
