STITCH: Delegations to Central America

Learn about women and labor rights in Central America; meet the women at the forefront of the movement and learn their unique approach to leadership; gain valuable experience in empowering women workers back home and better understand the roots of migration.

The STITCH women's delegation to Central America is designed to educate and inspire union women in the U.S. Participants meet with women union leaders in various industries, including the textile and banana sectors to hear first-hand about the challenges facing women workers in Central America and the realities of globalization, trade, and immigration. You will also experience the unique methods used to empower women in their unions and workplaces.

If you have ever wondered how you could best reach out to the immigrant women in your workplace, your union, or your community, this delegation will provide valuable tools that can be successfully translated into the US setting for organizing, building the confidence of women workers and organizers, and building ties of solidarity across groups of women workers.

• Understand and articulate the multi-ethnic reality of women in Central America and the power structures of gender, race, and globalization.

• Utilize lessons learned in Central America to break down barriers within your organization in the United States.

• Create and increase international solidarity networks between women.

• Advocate for and support just foreign policy, trade initiatives, and immigration reform affecting all workers in the US and Central America.

Check back early spring for details regarding our fall 2012 delegation to Central America or feel free to email us at stitch[at]stitchonline.org

Pushing Back: Women Speak Out on Trade 2011 Labor Solidarity Delegation to Honduras.

A ten-day women’s delegation to Honduras assessing the impact of the Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) five years later. Our labor solidarity delegation to Honduras, PUSHING BACK: WOMEN SPEAK OUT ON TRADE will take place July 27 – August 06, 2011.

Participants will meet with women union leaders in various industries, including teachers, nurses, and women in the textile and banana sectors. Hear first-hand about how the 2006 passing of CAFTA has impacted the lives of women in the last five years and the challenges facing women workers throughout the region as we explore the realities of globalization, trade, and immigration. You will also experience the unique methods used to empower women in their unions and workplaces.

The registration fee covers the lodging, in-country travel, and meals during the participant's time in the host country. Participants must cover their own way to the host country and cover incidental costs such as snacks and tips. The fee varies each year depending on current prices in region. The 2011 fee was $1050 (not including airfare) for 10 days in Honduras.

Limited scholarships are available. A minimal scholarship is most often available to CLUW members.

The itinerary changes slightly due to worker and presenter availability. Always included are a visit to a banana plantation, meetings with working women to discuss organizing strategies and share their particular situations and experiences, and presentations by local experts on worker's and women's rights. A full itinerary is available at least one month prior to the trip.

Many past members of the STITCH delegation take action upon their return to the United States. If you would like to talk to a past delegate, please note your interest in doing so when inquiring abour our delegation.