Throughout the world hundreds of thousands of women are living with the physical and emotional scars inflicted by war. Join Me on the Bridge is a chance for people to stand in solidarity with these women on International Women’s Day (March 8th), and join their fight for peace and equality. The idea and inspiration for the Join me on the Bridge campaign came from the Women for Women International country directors and programme participants in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). These women decided that they wanted to meet on the bridge that joined their two countries to show the world that they could come together and build bridges of peace and hope for the future. So, on 8th March 2010, women marched from DRC holding one side of a banner, and from Rwanda holding the other. When they met the two halves of the banner were joined to reveal their message: “Women are building bridges of peace”.

Inspired by the strength, courage and determination of these women, a global campaign began. Joining on bridges became a symbolic way to show women bridging the gap between peace and war, equality and inequality, and a way to stand in solidarity with women in war-torn countries. Last year 75,000 people joined us on 464 bridges in 70 countries around the world, and this year we hope there will be even more.

LONDON

IRAQ

DRC

RWANDA

CANADA

AUSTRALIA

BOSNIA

Despite peace being declared, the lives of women in DRC and Rwandaare still plagued by violence and hardship. Their road to peace and equality is a long and hard one, but by showing your support on March 8th this year you can give these women the strength to carry on, by letting them know: “we are with you.” Find out how by visiting the Join me on the Bridge website.

Words by Sarah O’Malley