Activists in Jena also take a place for concern

The Jena Women's Strike called for a total of four decentralised rallies on 8 March, International Women's Strike Day. All rallies took place at different locations in Jena-Göschwitz and Jena-Lobeda. In the morning, the women's strike alliance organised a stand connected to the IG Metall collective bargaining round. The second rally was a silent rally of the alliance at the university hospital. From there, the strikers marched on foot towards Salvador-Allende-Platz, carrying a long washing line with items and concerns of the hospital workers. There was a rally with speeches, information stands and a dance performance. The last location of the rallies was in Lobeda-West: there we took space for care! Spaces were cordoned off on the square and filled with different topics and problems of care work. The moderator of the Platz für Sorge led us for almost two hours through the diverse programme, which was characterised by alternating installations and various speeches. The speeches focussed on the precarious situation of care in childcare, in hospitals, the compatibility of family and career and violence against women*. While everyone listened intently to the first speeches, spaces for care were set up all over the square and then opened to the participants of the rally: Various installations on care drain, mental load, minute care, childcare, nursing and emotional care provided creative and informative insights into problems of care, while at the same time inviting people to think and contribute! This was followed by further speeches and, despite the wind and cold, the square was ceremoniously renamed "Platz für Sorge" (Square for Care). The demands of the Care Revolution Network were read out loud once again! A total of around 300 people supported these demands at the rallies in Jena. In addition to the women's strike alliance, the Platz für Sorge was organised by many other motivated people. This meant that many different perspectives and groups were represented together on the square. What unites them all is that they are all care workers and want to realise good care and a good life for all people. Care affects us all! Valorise care work and make it visible! Orientation towards the common good instead of profit-orientation!!!