Solidarity and support among women around the world is needed to fight the oppression of women and the violation of women's rights. The IFN was set up as a means to mobilize this support and solidarity quickly wherever it is needed. The idea for the IFN was born at the International Tribunal on Crimes Against Women in Brussels, Belgium in March 1976. The initial funds to set up and run the IFN came from the royalties of the" book Crimes Against Women, donated by the book's editors, Diana Russell and Nicole Van de Ven.
The IFN was coordinated by Isis until the end of 1983. Today it is jointly coordinated by the two sister organizations which evolved from Isis: Isis International in Rome, Italy and Santiago, Chile and Isis-WICCE in Geneva, Switzerland. We act as switching centers receiving appeals from women for support and solidarity and passing these on to contact women in different countries to distribute in their areas for further action. Most of the appeals call for letters and telegrams of support and/or protest
The IFN has been active in helping mobilize support for women in the peace movement who have been arrested for taking part in non-violent direct action against the installment of nuclear weapons in Europe; for women workers in Free Trade Zones striking and organizing for better working conditions and wages; for victims of violence against women; for women persecuted for their efforts on behalf of reproductive rights; for women suffering imprisonment or repression because of speaking up and taking action for women's rights.
The IFN's experience shows that international support does make a difference. Even a few letters of support or protest from women in several different countries can make a tremendous impact - giving other women courage and moral support and putting those who are committing injustices against women on notice that women are not alone, that international attention and publicity is focused on what is happening.
If you would like to use the IFN to appeal for international support or would like to become an active member of the IFN, write to us.