WUNRN
Women for Women International
Join Me on the Bridge Campaign - International Women's Day
Throughout the world hundreds of thousands of women are living with the physical and emotional scars inflicted by war. Join Me on the Bridge is a chance for people to stand in solidarity with these women on International Women's Day (March 8th), and join their fight for peace and equality. In 2011 75,000 people stood together on 464 bridge in 70 countries across 6 continents.
At Women for Women International we hear all too frequently of the abuses suffered by women in the countries we work with. In poll published by Thompson-Reuters in June 2011, Afghanistan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) were named the two most dangerous places in the world to be a woman. It was reported only last week that a woman in the Kunduz province of Afghanistan was murdered by her mother-in-law and husband for failing to produce a son. In a recent report by Doctors without Borders, it was revealed that only 1% of pregnant women in DRC with HIV are receiving treatment, and one of the reasons given for this is that international donor support is being withdrawn. Despite peace being declared in many of the countries we work with, the suffering of the women living in them continues, and their struggle for a life free from violence is ongoing. It is important that the international community supports these women to ensure their voices are heard and their demands for peace and equality are met.
Join me on the Bridge gives you the opportunity to show your support, and to let the world know that we will not let the suffering of these women be forgotten. There will be events taking place globally, so check the Join me on the Bridge website to find one happening close to you.
We already have events being planned in in Afghanistan, Canada, Italy, Tanzania, DRC, Antartica, Brazil, UK, Kosovo, US, Australia, South Sudan, India and many more! If you can’t find one, why not organise your own? It is a great way to raise awareness amongst your community and peers, and will make a real difference to the impact of the campaign. Events can be as simple and as small as you like, all you need is a passion to stand up for peace and equality. We have variety of resources available to help you, including a free organiser's toolkit, and there are contact details on the website if you have any questions.
There is also information on how to fundraise at your event, so you can raise money to sponsor a woman through one of our programmes. No matter how big or small your event, every person standing with us on March 8th will make a difference. We will make a difference by showing women in war-torn countries that they do not struggle alone, we will make a difference by showing the world that we want peace and equality, and we will make a difference by not remaining silent.
Have a look at our short campaign video and come and join us on March 8th to help build bridges of peace and hope for the future.
Sarah
Haynes
Grassroots
Campaigns Officer
Women for Women International
T: +44 (0)207 922 7767