Bicnod's going to the G8 for you lot - come and post your thoughts, questions, ideas

sorry, am on the M6 on a shitty phone

Fgs, sorru

Am on my phone now, so I dunno

Am on my phone now, so I dunno

Am on my phone now, so I dunno

Am on my phone now, so I dunno

Oh my goodness, I am not worthy at all. I know zilch about this stuff. I am in some feminism groups though so will give them a shout and a link to your thread.

It's already been said on your thread about women being the key, and how even in developed countries women (and children) as a group bear the brunt of austerity measures, benefit cuts, poverty and reducing living standards. Mumsnetters see that connection and apply it across the board.

You are very impressive, chuck. What to wear ? Don't suit up. Wear loose pants, heels if you want to, linen/silk t shirts and soft jackets or a cardigan to keep the air conditioning chill off your arms. Do you have stuff like that ? If not, borrow or make a quick trip to H+M if you have time. No pencil skirts and trussed up blouses/jacket combo's would be my advice. I am not a style guru though, just my personal choice

All the best, and BE YOURSELF x

Yes, Rowan. I can't see it stickied and I can't see it in Active Convo's. I have to navigate directly to Site stuff to see the thread. I

Hey Bicnod.

I don't have much to add (I think a lot of important points have been raised) but good luck!

Have you managed to set up any meetings with anyone? Press involvement whilst there? Are you on twitter? Follow all the G8 big-wigs and get in there with their hashtags. It's an awesomely poweful platform when utilised correctly.

Have fun, smile lots and wear your mumsnet scaf with pride ;)

My settings are no different than they were yesterday.

have reported to HQ, to see if the problem is my end, thanks x

Is it your settings, AF? Showing in both my active convos and my threads... (On smartphone if makes a difference)

Right, what is going on ?

This thread isn't even in Active Convo's < presses report >

bump (goes to check active convos)

Please, more contributions! Bicnod's been slaving away at this and we really need to exploit fully the opportunity for MN/women/children to have a proper voice at G8.

Indeed, bump!

As an aside, why isn't this thread showing in my "Threads I'm On" list ?

and why haven't HQ stickied it/multiple-posted in high traffic areas for maximum exposure ?

I have pm'ed you, Bicnod.

SANPRO!!!! Sorry to shout and to disturb you from your work...

Oh and Bicnod, meant to say you're obviously doing a fab job! Hope you're enjoying it and not too much work?

Another point, i remembered that UK recently announced ending of aid to South Africa so pls view my remarks in that context. Sorry, should have said earlier!

A hearty hear- hear, Liger!

Your moving post on the plight of rural women bearing/feeding/carrying children reminded me, ironically of the huge gap in provision around birth control and sexual health. Needs to be much more extensive, more explicit and networked into schools.

Oh and Sanpro!!! Please, please mention- so often drops off the list as a low priority but even in SA, by no means the poorest of African countries, it is estimated that at least 25% of teenage schoolgirls miss 1 week of school EVERY month as they lack enough pads/tampons. This results in many girls never graduating from high school! If this could be treated seriously for once, it could have a positive effect on these girls' life chances. Reusable sanpro to be given out along with food, via schools??

I would be very interested to see the photos from your 2008 trip if they are still up. Big yes relating to your passion for these issues. I have numerous times been in tears breastfeeding one of my babies, imagining how it must be for a mother who can no longer breastfed her baby because she prioritised the meagre food she had for her older children. Having to hear her hungry baby cry.

I remember the mother I talked to at a food distribution on that highlands visit in 2005. She had walked for 8 hours up hill from the valley to collect her monthly rations. It was a morning distribution. She was going to be carrying the large sack of grain home.

I have stark memories of a therapeutic feeding centre in one of the displaced camps outside Khartoum in Sudan. Listless children, smaller than their years from stunting.

It's the powerlessness of the mothers in these situations that breaks my heart as much as the children themselves. It is so important that mumsnet raises a voice at the G8 on behalf of mothers everywhere including the UK as we know what it is to make decisions for our children on a daily basis and how it would feel if circumstances made that impossible. If the mothers I have met across the world were empowered they would make the decisions that meant the next generation was best provided for. Our world needs to sort out its systems that stop them from doing that

I doubt any of the G8 leaders have had to think where their next meal is coming from for a long time, or needed to be intimately concerned with providing for a growing family for a very long while.

This why Mumsnet being in Eniskillen is so important. We can remind them of what real life is. What is important. And why the decisions they make matter.