Supported by perhaps the most progressive constitution in the world—what many call the non-sexist Magna-Carta—women are reclaiming their right to social, economic, and cultural equality by reshaping the political realities of Venezuela. From within the grassroots, and as leaders of key institutions, Venezuelan women are benefiting from new forms of political participation in decisions that affect their everyday lives.

The advances of women are dramatic: the Women's Bank is empowering women to create and manage their own development projects through microcredits and workshops; new laws require political parties to field 50% female and 50% male candidates; and the country is one of only a few in the hemisphere that acknowledges violence and discrimination against women as obstacles to the development of democracy. Today, the lives of millions of Venezuelans are improving as historic wrongs are being righted. The world's fifth-largest oil producer, Venezuela has long been a country of contrasts: despite its great wealth, 80% of Venezuelans live in poverty. Now, for the first time, millions of Venezuelans have access to education, job training, housing, land, clean water, health care, and something maybe even more precious: dignity.

Community-based preventative health care missions are making health care a tangible human right, causing infant mortality to plummet. Educational missions are putting millions more children into thousands of new schools, while high school and college scholarship programs keep kids reaching for new horizons. At the same time, Venezuelan elders are imbuing their citizenship with new meaning as over one million of them learn to read and write for the first time in the Literacy campaign. Women, Indigenous peoples, and Afro-Venezuelans are gaining power and rights, while a high-profile land reform campaign is sweeping the nation, giving poor farmers access to land and opportunities. March 8th, International Women's Day, is recognized, valued and celebrated in many parts of the world while remaining invisible to most of the US. Women in Latin America, however, have demonstrated its significance through a variety of approaches: from community-based social activities to national assemblies to advance the status of women.

We invite you to travel to Venezuela with Global Exchange and Code Pink to celebrate the empowerment of women across borders during International Women's Day in Venezuela. On this women's tour to Venezuela you will learn from the struggles and advances of women who are confronting poverty, violence, racism and sexism through an alternative economic and social model. Increase diverse US women's leadership and participation in international relations and cross-cultural learning while contributing to the creation of paths of peace and social justice for all peoples.

Read articles and blogs by past participants.

Program Highlights:

• Learn about the struggles and gains of Venezuelan women to advance their rights, end violence and poverty and work toward peace and social justice.
• Meet with the Women's Bank or Inamujer (The Women's Institute) to see how women are historically participating in development projects made by and for women
• Travel to educational and health care social programs (the "missions") in rural areas and dialogue with participants and community leaders.
• Find out about new programs for women under the new constitution, and perspectives of indigenous peoples and people of African descent in Venezuela.
• Build a demographically and geographically diverse US women's constituency and leadership to impact US policy toward Venezuela with a goal of creating just and peaceful relations.
• View Sample Itinerary for this Tour

Cost: $1550

Price Includes:

• Double-room hotel accommodations
• Two meals per day
• Transportation to and from all programmed activities
• Language Translation during all programs
• A qualified trip leader
• All program activities and reading materials.
• NOT INCLUDED: International airfare, lunches, airport departure taxes, tips, and personal expenses are not included.
• Single rooms are available for an additional $200.
• Learn more about fundraising or scholarship opportunities.

How to Register:

This trip will be as diverse as possible in terms of race, age and life experiences. We strongly urge people of color to apply. In some cases, a limited number of partial scholarships are available for low-income applicants.

Make your reservation online now!

Contact Daniel with any questions about this trip, or call toll-free 1-800-497-1994 ext. 247.