UN IWD – Human Poster made by Women on the Bridge

Southend Club supported the region’s UN International Women’s day event in Cambridge which also supported No Women No Peace.

Eleven members joined Soroptimists from all over the region to make a human poster on Silver Street bridge.

The poster, showing blue men, 40% of which changed to pink women, is in support of UN resolution 1325 demanding that more women are involved in Peace Negotiation groups. The UN resolution is ten years old but has, as yet, had little impact, with almost 100% of peace negotiators still men.

Soroptimists are raising the issue with MPs. Regional Past President Margaret Sandercock, a member of the Southend club says, ‘It’s not a good idea that men who make wars should be the only ones to decide about the peace settlements. Women are very much affected by war – their lives are destroyed and often there are crimes against women that go unpunished.

They need a voice to ensure that negotiators strive for real peace. It’s not just about boundaries and armaments, it’s about providing for the needs of families – health care, education, homes, justice and safety.’

Baroness Angela Smith of Basildon had sent a message of support to the club. Baroness Angela said, ‘… the real challenge for the next 100 years is not just for women – but for the world – and that is to use the talents, the skills and the power of women to build peace and to negotiate ways forward in a society that faces greater conflicts. Whether it is in a local community or a nation – women’s skills can make a difference and it is not just women who pay the price if we fail to use these skills.’

Southend Soroptimists work to support women in several projects in the area but this international concern is high on their agenda and they were pleased to be part of the human poster on the bridge in Cambridge.