WILPF (Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom) is co-ordinating a women’s contingent for the march and asks any woman who wants to march behind the slogan PUT PEOPLE FIRST – BUT DON’T PUT WOMEN SECOND to assemble in Embankment Gardens at 10.30 am (near the coffee kiosk) ready to join the march leaving around 12pm.

Getting ready:  Calling any interested women to come to 52-54 Featherstone Street (near Old Street) on Saturday 21st March 1-4pm to prepare placards and banners and meet like minded women.

Why women first?  “We need to make both our fellow marchers and decision makers aware that the economic crisis affects women most acutely, after all 70% of the poorest people in the world are women.” said Sheila Triggs from WILPF.

“We need to emphasise that cuts in social and welfare services whether in the UK or in the developing world mean women carry the extra burden as carers.  In Africa women produce 60-80% of the food consumption but own hardly any land.  They are the hardest hit by climate change, as they cope with pollution, flooding and drought.  You only have to look at the D. R. Congo to see how women are most affected by the conflicts that are resulting from the scramble for resources“

March 19th, 2009 Put People First