Women in Black oppose militarism and war.
We recognise that many wars and violations of human rights and women’s rights are taking
place around the world, with and without the presence of nuclear weapons.
In the face of the Putin government’s military invasion of Ukraine, Women in Black call for:
First – with urgent action
➔ an immediate ceasefire covering all armed personnel involved in this conflict
➔ an end to the targeting of civilians, and use of illegal cruise missiles, cluster munitions, and all forms of
explosive weaponry on cities and in populated areas
➔ immediate negotiations to end the invasion and war
➔ greater inclusion of skilled/experienced women and civil society peace-builders in this process
➔ Putin (and his allies) and NATO governments to publicly pledge not to use nuclear weapons, under
any circumstances
➔ support, amplify and protect peace activists in Russia and Ukraine
➔ the UK must welcome and support all refugees, from Ukraine and other armed conflicts in the world
Further Steps
➔ laws on violence against women and children must be implemented, with more action to prevent and
prosecute rape as a war crime
➔ the connections between war, climate destruction and patriarchal violence need to be recognised
➔ public campaigning to prevent future conflicts and end military-industrial profits, arms dealing, nuclear
and fossil-fuel dependency
➔ democratic engagement at all levels to limit the opportunities for militarists and nationalists to gain and
abuse political power
➔ Russia, the US, the UK, France and other nuclear-armed governments to join the UN Treaty on the
Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, and eliminate their entire nuclear arsenals.
➔ the United Nations system and regional organisations need to be reformed and strengthened to work
for the elimination of inhumane weapons, promote peace, human rights and justice, and adhere to
international humanitarian laws
➔ all of us need to work together for conflict resolution, war prevention, disarmament, the ending of
occupations and colonialism, and the building of cooperative relations and real security.
Women in Black hold vigils every Wednesday between 6-7 pm at the Edith Cavell Statue, opposite the door of the
National Portrait Gallery, St.Martin’s Place, London, WC2. Our vigils are silent, women-only and if possible we wear
black. See our website at www.london.womeninblack.org Contact us at: wibinfo@gn.apc.org
www.facebook.com/womeninblack.london Twitter: @WIB_London
Donations for leaflets gratefully received. If you are a woman and agree with us, then do come and join us.