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Original poster

OMG! <hyperventilates> What have I let myself in for!? First bit of feminist activism...

30 replies

FlamingOBingo · 01/03/2011 10:39

Have rashly decided to organise a Join Me On The Bridge event on IWD next week. Have been offered support from a friend who 'knows people' and the local paper has just called and wants to arrange for a reporter to call me and a photographer to take a photo of me on the bridge to encourage people to come along!!!!

Trying to tell myself I am NOT OUT OF MY DEPTH but I am not believing it!

Going to need a whole heap of support from you guys to keep the momentum and my enthusiasm going for this - I am very nervous!

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Original poster
FlamingoBingo · 04/03/2011 09:51

It's a world-wide campaign by Women For Women International to raise awareness and, hopefully, money to help women rebuild their lives after the horrors of living in a war-torn country.

At the moment the urgent issue is Afghanistan, where women's lives have improved a minute amount since the fall of the Taliban, but which risk deteriorating again as soon as the troops pull out. The obvious way of making sure that doesn't happen, would be for the UN to include women in their peace negotiations, but they decided not to. They eventually relented and let 10 token women into their 70-strong committee Hmm.

A lot is at stake here - 87% of Afghan women regularly experience violence of some sort - marital rape and beatings, mostly. But also 'punishments' by their communities for not conforming to their religious laws. Girls in the countryside have acid thrown in their faces on their way to school, and teachers who try to educate girls get shot. And this is still happening despite the Taliban being overthrown and the UN being present...imagine what will happen when we leave Sad.

The women in Afghanistan campaigning for a voice are risking far, far more than our Western suffragette's risked 100 years ago. It's so depressing that we could actually be having an impact in a very, very unequal country and yet the opportunity is not being taken by the UN.

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AliceWorld · 04/03/2011 00:08
SpringchickenGoldBrass · 03/03/2011 23:58

SOrry to be ignorant but what is 'Join Me On The Bridge'?

ButterflyAnn · 03/03/2011 23:53

Sounds like it's all coming together nicely Smile

Prolesworth · 03/03/2011 13:59

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AliceWorld · 03/03/2011 13:59

Wow! 50 people is great. And to get it in the press too. Grin

Original poster
FlamingoBingo · 03/03/2011 12:40

The reporter rang! And they're going to send a photographer on the day as well!!!! Woohoo!

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Original poster
FlamingoBingo · 03/03/2011 10:27

Well, it looks like there are going to be a lot of people there - way more than I'd initially expected! DH is bringing his work loudhailer concealed in a bag so if I make a speech I'll be able to be heard...but it'll be hidden so if there are only 5 people, I won't look like a twit Grin

We have a big parking issue, though Sad. It's very frustrating and I hope it doesn't cause to many problems.

But I'm expected at least 50 people, now (including children)! A big advance on a handful of my friends that I'd initially expected Grin

Waiting for the promised reporter to ring me, and wondering at what point I ought to ring them to 'nag'.

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Original poster
FlamingOBingo · 02/03/2011 10:01

Thank you! Photos done - it's bloody freezing today, and I have a serious parking issue for the day itself Confused.

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Prolesworth · 02/03/2011 08:51

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Original poster
FlamingOBingo · 02/03/2011 08:09

We've got a face-painter! Woohoo!

And now I'm feeding right into the patriarchy by putting make up on ready for my photograph this morning Grin

I did shun highheels for my nice comfy suede flat boots, though.

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claig · 02/03/2011 00:04

Well done, fantastic. There's no turning back, you've used the key to open the door. Who knows what the future holds in store?

ButterflyAnn · 01/03/2011 23:35

WOW! :)

You will be amazing!!
xxx

Original poster
FlamingOBingo · 01/03/2011 21:59

I've got all that, Alice - still terrified! Grin

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AliceWorld · 01/03/2011 21:36

And sorry, well done you! Grin

And relax if everything you think of doesn't come off. It never does. Google for people like drummers, entertainers etc and then just ask them. People will often do stuff like that for free for these kinds of events.

AliceWorld · 01/03/2011 21:32

Flamingo - Women for Women International do a pack with all the media contact stuff in it. Sample press releases, stats and the like. If that sounds useful message me and I can give you some contact details.

StewieGriffinsMom · 01/03/2011 20:35

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Original poster
FlamingOBingo · 01/03/2011 20:31

Oh, good idea re WI, SGM! Will make sure I ask them when I email them.

Wonder how to find a sympathetic local kids entertainer...

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StewieGriffinsMom · 01/03/2011 20:29

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Original poster
FlamingOBingo · 01/03/2011 20:25

Face-painting good idea! Thank you!

Would be biodegradable balloons, don't worry, if I did them.

Photo being taken tomorrow for the local papers; and I'm just emailing lots of people with a big flyer (apart from my friends who I emailed/FBd this morning):

WI, local SU, local radio stations...what else?

I have a city councillor on board who is going to get lots of her party councillors to be keen.

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Hullygully · 01/03/2011 20:12

Great idea, but definitely don't realease balloons (or get them from the biological balloon type site).

StewieGriffinsMom · 01/03/2011 19:00

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thefinerthingsinlife · 01/03/2011 16:16

Wow, good for you flamingo!!

Unrulysun · 01/03/2011 11:55

Well done! I agree re facebook. I like bubbles over balloons ( on behalf of turtles and dolphins and sea stuff :) )

local paper could run something to publicise? Local mumsnet? You could namechange?

Hassled · 01/03/2011 11:25

It will be fine :). Good for you for organising this - can you invite people via FB etc? That would be a good way of getting teh word out.