March 8th has been earmarked as a day where women all over the world converege, strike, take action against the war in Iraq. Women’s strikes and actions happened today in over 70 countries on every continent. As more women come together, breaking the divisions of race, ethnicity, nation, religion, language - which divide us to deprive us - the more grassroots women's needs are visible and their demands heard.

This years Women’s Day took particular recognition of the recent war preparations and increases in military budgets. Women all over the world added their voices to the consensus global priority - to reclaim these budgets for, and demand a change in, the priorities of the global economy. The changes fought for include paid recognition to carers, rights to resources such land and water, and justice against inhumane treatment and unacceptable living standards exacerbated by poor working, economic and cultural conditions.

In the UK, women demonstrated in London (see pictures 1 | 2 and report + action against sweatshops); in Sheffield (see also pictures), Aberdeen , Derry, Manchester - (video); in Colchester there were 24 arrests as people sat down in front of the 16 Air Assault Brigade headquarters.

On the eve of inernational women's day, women and men stormed the protected Ashford Women's prison in Middlesex. (see report).

Click here for information on countries participating in the Global Women’s Strike, as well as other actions and resources on International Women's Day.
Toronto report | Statement of women from Anatolia| Remember the women of Afghanistan | Washington DC | Minneapolis | LA: report & pics | Alice Walker, Amy Goodman & Other Notable Women Arrested in Anti-War Protest