IHEU organised an "Empowering women" colloquium in <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />London, in November 2003. It was a success, with participation of women and a few men from all over the world. Michèle Vincent, vice-president of the<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

French IHEU member organisation La Libre Pensée followed this up and organised a colloquium with 200 participants in Grenoble (France), in November, 2004 on the theme "Women, work and religion (or 3000 years of religious oppression is enough!)" as well as a play about Louise Michel, heroine, feminist, socialist and republican, of the Paris Commune in 1871.

Ms Françoise Laurent, President of the French National Family Planning organisation spoke of the struggle for contraception and abortion. People wrongly think that this is over now in the Western world. In Paris every month a demonstration is held in front of the building of the Planning Familial. Problems of women in the western world are considered a luxury frequently, but it is important to be aware of our history and of our emancipation. History shows us that rights, whatever rights, must be cherished as it is not that difficult to abolish them!

She was followed by a senator, Ms Annie David, who pointed out that even in so-called women-friendly legislation, there are traps and in politics itself it is clear that only a few women play a role, partly because women take more responsibility for children and the household. Ms Marie Benis-Guermont, president of the regional La Libre Pensée of the Gironde, gave an historical survey of women and work from the 19th century on, until now. It was good to listen to her: we can learn from history! Ms. Noëlle Monin, professor of sociology at Lyon university, explained how women and men are taught stereotypes – and gave examples from school textbooks.

Ms Michèle Vianes, author, told us about her scientific work in relation to the plight of Islamic women. We know of course that sharia exists, over there, in Islamic countries. She however reported about an ‘incident’ in Marseille: a young woman was stoned to death there!

Immediately after her, we heard 2 young people from the organisation ‘Ni putes ni soumises’ (neither prostitutes nor suppressed). They made a clear appeal for women’s rights and the right not to have a religion!

I myself gave an overview of how women are treated in the different ‘great’ religions, their traditions and their holy books. It is obvious that similar patterns are found, and you can find stoning with the ancient Jews, long before Islam and sharia came into being! But at the same time it is important to say that traditions too change and that we find different interpretations of the texts in different times.

It would have been better to have the same rich information and discussion spread over 2 days – but if we are away from home for two days, who would do the laundry …?

A great event, a big succes. It gave the participants new oxygen to continue the struggle for womens’

rights, for human rights, for a better world …

Sonja Eggerickx is First Vice President of IHEU