[other events worldwide here and here]
UK: INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY: 8th MARCH 2008
Million Women Rise
MARCH FROM HYDE PARK TO TRAFALGAR SQUARE
raise your voices against violence against women
International Women’s Day has passed largely unnoticed in this country for many years except for local events and protests organised predominately by refugee and migrant communities.
This year a coalition of individuals and women’s organisations (see www.millionwomenrise.com for list of supporters) are co-ordinating a national march to raise the issue of gendered violence against women.
Violence against women happens everywhere, and takes many forms. Women and girls of all ages, from all classes, from all ethnic backgrounds, regardless of their immigration status, their colour, their sexuality or their disability, experience it.
Violence devastates the lives of women, their families, and their communities.
We call on women to come together to raise our voices, join forces, gain strength from each other and create an immovable force for change that challenges the oppression of women in its most brutal manifestations. It is an opportunity to remember, to celebrate and to plan for the future.
How to support the event
Women: mobilise! Tell every woman you meet about it: your families, neighbours, your colleagues, the women shopping in the market! Spread the word through your networks. Bring your sisters, mothers, grandmothers, children and every woman you love or care about.
If you would like to be a steward, please come to the training day (details below).
Meet up with women beforehand and make banners highlighting the issues that are important for you and women in your community (see event below, or organise your own).
Men: visit the website to understand more about why this is a women-only event, and for ideas on how other men are supporting women’s struggles against gendered violence.
Donate: this coalition is totally unfunded. Everyone working on the event, speaking at the rally or performing is doing so unpaid. But there are still costs in excess of £6,000 that we need to meet. If you are able to, please make a donation to Million Women Rise, c/o The Women’s Resource Centre, 33-41 Dallington Street , London , EC1V 0BB .
Dates and events
1st March 2008
The following events all take place at:
52 Club, UCLH Sports Club,
Bonham Carter House,
52 Gower Street,
London, WC1
Banner-making: 10am-5pm
Meet other women and make banners expressing your views
Drumming workshop: 2pm-3pm
Training for stewards: 3.30pm-4.30pm
8th March 2008
Million Women Rise March: Women Only
Assemble at Hyde Park Corner (12 noon)
March to Trafalgar Square (rally 3-6pm )
Women-only space including swimming, sauna, massage until 6-9pm
Followed by live entertainment and DJs until 1am at:
52 Club, UCLH Sports Club,
Bonham Carter House,
52 Gower Street,
London, WC1
For more information visit www.millionwomenrise.com or contact the information line on 07862 113308.