AFGHANISTAN: Candlelit Vigils in Solidarity with Afghan Women

In order to show solidarity with Afghan women's rights activists, groups in the UK and internationally are planning candlelit vigils on 31st October, the 11th anniversary of the signing of UN Security Council Resolution 1325, which recognises the unique impact of conflict on women and the need for their inclusion in peace building.

In order to bring attention to the issues facing women in conflict, and specifically show solidarity with Afghan women, candlelit vigils will be held throughout the UK and internationally to mark the anniversary of this landmark resolution. Please email us at nowomennopeace@gaps-uk.org to tell us about plans in your area, which we will then promote in this space.

Vigils planned so far include (click on the links for full details):

London, UK - 12 October 2011, 18:00, Women in Black London: Vigil in Solidarity with Women in Afghanistan
Location London, Edith Cavell statue above St Martin in the Fields church (opposite entrance to National Portrait Gallery)

London, UK - 31 October 2011, 18:00, Candlelit Vigil in Solidarity with Afghan Women
Location Trafalgar Square, London UK**** Note location change from 10 Downing Street to Trafalgar Square

Bristol, UK - 31 October 2011, 17:30, Bristol Bridge March with Bristol Feminist Network
Location Pero's Bridge, Bristol UK

Georgia (country) - 31 October 2011, 18:00 - 19:00, Candlelit Vigils in Solidarity with Afghan Women in the Country of Georgia
Location Various locations, Western Georgia

Wimbledon, UK - 31 October 2011, 18:00 - 19:00, Vigil in Solidarity with Afghan Women
Location St Marks Place, Wimbledon SW19 (beside the public library), UK

Rothbury, UK - 31 October 2011, 18.00-18.45, Candlelit Vigil in Solidarity with Afghan Women
Location Rothbury, North Northumberland, UK

Edinburgh, UK - 31 October 2011, Candlelit Vigil in Solidarity with Afghan Women, with Scottish WILPF
Location TBC

Dundee, UK - 31 October 2011, 18.00-19.00, Candlelit Vigil in Solidarity with Afghan Women, with Soroptimist International of Dundee
Location DCA Nethergate, Dundee

York, UK - 5 November 2011, 13.00, Vigil in Solidarity with Afghan Women, with York Feminist Network
Location St. Helen's Square, York

We are asking activist groups to organise vigils in key visible areas in their communities in the early evening of the 31st to bring awareness to the need for women's participation at the upcoming Bonn conference on Afghanistan and the inclusion of women's issues in ongoing Afghan transition and reconciliation activities.

By standing together holding candles and wearing green scarves (a symbol used by Afghan women's rights activists), UK activists can show their solidarity with Afghan women's rights activists. This display of hope and solidarity will be used to signal to the UK government that people in the UK are holding them to account and expect them to act as a key voice on women's rights issues at Bonn.

Find out more about this issue here and download our guide for supporting women's rights activists in Afghanistan here (PDF).