The International Day of the midwife and International Women's Day, 2003: reports this year come from Trinidad & Tobago, Lebanon and Tunisia, where midwives celebrated two important days with parades, publicity, conferences--and poetry.

Midwives in Trinidad and Tobago celebrate International Women's Day: Carmen Machado of TTAM reports on the 2003 activities

This year the Trinidad and Tobago Association of Midwives (TTAM), in collaboration with other non-governmental organisations, marked International Women's Day with a variety of events. Their theme was 'Embrace our differences, change the world'.

We live in a time and a world that cultivates differences and separateness between people. But when women join together in a circle, they become aware that such differences do not exist on a deeper level. Circles help alleviate the feeling that each woman stands alone against the oppression and harshness of modern society. They remind us that we are all one force against poverty, inequality and oppressiveness--and we can change the world.

On Friday, March 7, 2003, TTAM participated in a march and rally at the Brian Lara Promenade in the heart of the capital city, Port of Spain. The opening ceremony was attended by the country's prime minister as well as the minister of community and gender affairs, and director of gender affairs, who was also TTAM's guest speaker at a seminar and workshop on domestic violence hosted in May. Many foreign dignitaries and members of the diplomatic corps were also present.

As can be seen from the photographs, everyone had a great time--both participants and representatives. Booths were set up under colourful tents, and videos were shown demonstrating aspects of labour, birth and the role of the midwife. There were many lively discussions on all these subjects, the leaflets offered were 'lapped up' by all present and we needed to have items reprinted to accommodate the demand. Members of the public showing interest included young men and women as well as the mature and the elderly.

Following this event, there was a boisterous and colourful march around the city. Many of us struggled to keep up in the blinding hot sun, as our physical stamina was found wanting--a reminder to head for the gyms! Participants from women's groups, including the police and armed forces, cadets and members of the public, joined us for this invigorating walk. We left the city feeling tired but extremely satisfied with the day's programme.

On Sunday March 9, we attended an ecumenical service at the Raja Yoga centre on the outskirts of the capital city. Trinidad and Tobago have many diverse religious and ethnic groups and each year a different denomination is selected to...