Vigil 5 November 2025

As we approach the time of ‘Remembrance’, more than 100 years since the ‘war to end all wars’, Women in Black London mourn and are outraged at the ever-rising death-toll from war in our world. 

• We remember the 70,000+ people killed in Gaza, Israel
• We remember 150,000+ people killed in the civil war in Sudan.
• We remember the estimated 650.000+killed in the war between Ukraine and Russia.
• We remember the people of Afghanistan, Yemen, DRC, Myanmar, where wars continue but are all but forgotten. 

Women face many burdens in war.  They are vulnerable to sexual as well as military violence. 

A failure for humanity and for the planet, war is fuelled by the immoral arms trade and by flawed policies that seek security through military might.  Wars drive defence spending.  The UK defence budget for 2025 – 2026 is £62.2 billion and there is a commitment to spend 2.5% of GDP.  This is likely to rise.  The UK government has pledged £3 billion a year in military support to Ukraine until 2030/31, or for as long as it is needed. Women in Black believe that the involvement of women in peace making processes is the way to end wars and conflicts.

War, violent conflict, terrorism and violent extremism have differential and devastating consequences for women and girls. In the face of this, women are all over the world are leading movements for peace and to rebuild communities, and there is strong evidence suggesting that women’s participation in peace processes contributes to longer, more resilient peace after conflict. Yet, despite this, women remain largely invisible to, and excluded from, peace processes and negotiations. UN Women, Peace and Security 2025

Many of us wear White Poppies during these days.  They were the initiative of the Co-operative Women’s Guild in 1933, to convey the message, ‘war – never again’.   They are produced by the Peace Pledge Union (PPU)

WRITE to your local MP https://members.parliament.uk/FindYourMP  urging the Government to uphold the ceasefire in Gaza and Israel and negotiate settlements and authentic peace-making in Ukraine, Russia and Sudan. Ask that the Government work to uphold international law and protect civilians and hostages in war zones. Ask that they facilitate independent monitoring of the abuse of women and children in all war zones. 

WEAR a white poppy and start a conversation about the most authentic way to mark Remembrance Day and how we might abolish war forever. www.ppu.org.uk  and  www.abolishwar.net

CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE GLOBAL ARMS TRADE – find out about UK arms sales to Israel, Ukraine, Saudi Arabia and elsewhere and call for an end to this trade.  Learn more from caat.org.uk

USEFUL WEBSITES — www.cnduk.org   www.medact.org  www.wilpf.org.uk  

Women in Black hold vigils every Wednesday between 6-7 pm at the Edith Cavell Statue, opposite the National Portrait Gallery, St. Martin’s Place, London WC2. Our vigils are silent, women-only and if possible, we wear black. We welcome all women who support our call for an end to militarism and war. 
Contact us:  FB @womeninblack.london        https://london.womeninblack.org/

Donations for leaflets/poppies most welcome            November  2025