Wednesday 13 October 2010

No Women No Peace


On Monday I went to support the launch of a new campaign for women living in conflict called No Women No Peace. It is a campaign by Gender Action for Peace and Security (GAPS UK), a network of 14 human rights and development organisations.


All over the world, women are prime targets during conflict. Rape, displacement, torture and kidnap are common experiences of women - yet when it comes to negotiating and building peace, women are often excluded.


The No Women No Peace campaign, launched to mark the 10 year anniversary of an important UN resolution, highlights the fact that without women's involvement peace will fail to meet the needs of 50% of the population.


The campaign launch in the House of Commons included a speech from the Foreign Secretary, the Rt Hon William Hague MP, and women's rights activist Wazhma Frogh.


I am proud an delighted to be able to lend my support to such a worthwhile cause. With women constituting half the world's population, it seems abundantly clear that they must be involved in peace making on both a local and global scale. I wish the campaign every success.


To get involved with No Women No Peace, visit http://www.nowomennopeace.org/

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