Women Hold Unity Rally (Press, 20 July 1985)

On 20 July 1985, a “unity rally” at the University of Nairobi highlighted the achievements and ongoing struggles of women as the United Nations Decade for Women came to a close. Over 1,000 attendees, including speakers from Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas, gathered to celebrate what they viewed as a collective effort towards peace and women's empowerment. Keynote speaker Betty Friedan, an American feminist and founder of the National Organisation for Women, declared that this moment represented not an end but the beginning of a new movement for women worldwide. The event was largely harmonious, although it featured a controversial statement from Nawal Saddawi, an Egyptian leader, concerning the religious invasions of Middle Eastern countries, which was perceived as an affront aimed at Israel. Ranjana Kumari from India sought to soothe tensions by emphasising that regardless of their countries, women should recognise that men are responsible for starting wars. French Minister for Women’s Rights, Yvette Roudy, called for a reunion of women in five years to continue the momentum of their efforts. Friedan spoke of the unity and strength displayed by the 14,000 women who attended the concurrent informal Forum ’85, especially in light of the previous day's disruptions caused by conflicts between Israeli and Arab women representatives. She mentioned that despite their differences, women are united in advocating for peace, opposing nuclear armament, and calling for an end to apartheid in South Africa. Participants shared their experiences, with one African woman saying that the forum enabled them to discuss issues openly, while an Ethiopian social worker highlighted the value of learning new ideas for addressing women's challenges in famine-stricken areas. Many attendees were especially interested in topics that had previously been overlooked, such as lesbianism, as indicated by the crowd attracted to the International Lesbian Information Centre. Workshops varied widely in scope, with discussions on diverse issues from the lack of protection for sex workers to the demand for payment for domestic work. American feminists expressed frustration over perceived injustices related to accommodation costs imposed by the male-dominated Kenyan government. As at the United Nations conference, tensions often flared at the forum, particularly between Israeli and Palestinian women, reflecting the complex dynamics of identity and conflict within the women's rights movement. Overall, the Nairobi gathering underscored the strong sense of solidarity among women and the collective commitment to advocate for their rights and pursue social change, while also acknowledging the need to confront the existing divisions and challenges they faced.

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