On Saturday, ten of thousands marched through London as part of global protests as world leaders meet in Glasgow for the 26th Conference of Parties climate talks.
We caught up with Sara Callaway, part of Women of Colour in the Global Women’s Strike who were marching in the Reparations Bloc at the event.
She has long campaigned for a basic income for carers, whose work is not recognised and remunerated, but is now working with the Landworkers Alliance to extend that principle to those that care for the land. Their banner at the march demands “a care income for ALL caring work for PEOPLE and PLANET”.
In our interview she talks about the need for reparations, and for alliances between human rights defenders and people who are working the land – so often under attack from security forces, militaries and police working for corporate interests.
70% of Indigenous farmers across the world are women, and when left to work in traditional ways without the pressure of profit-driven corporations, these farmers are rebuilding and regenerating the soil – a massive factor in the fight against climate change.
In recognition of the role of the ‘soil sponge’ – regenerated land soaking up carbon – the government in Andhra Pradesh is backing a programme of payment for farmers who use traditional methods and care for the land.
Global Women’s Strike want to extend their care income to all people who look after people, the land, the soil and the planet.
