International Women's Day 2019

Anna Campbell

Today, Friday 8th of March 2019, is International Women's Day (website) with the theme #BalanceforBetter, that is, to build a gender balanced world. I have used this photograph of Anna Campbell of Lewes, who died a year ago (15th March 2018) fighting for the YPJ* and women's liberation in Syria, killed by jihadists working for the Turkish Lira when they invaded Afrin in Syria, supported by Turkish aircraft and tanks; Afrin had been one of the few areas in Syria that had remained peaceful during the Syrian civil war, a very sad day when it was invaded, and Anna's body still hasn't been recovered and returned to her father in Lewes. Anna Campbell R.I.P. 

To celebrate International Women's Day in Hastings an event is being held on Sunday 10th March 2-4pm at the Azur Pavilion organised by Women's Voice (event's website), including presentations, workshops and discussion, and to launch the Women's Voice project Finding Our Voices: Women's Peer Support Network. The event will be preceded with a march along the seafront from Hastings Pier, starting at 1pm, and participants are encouraged to dress as their favourite women from history.

Today, Friday 8th March, sees a Female Tap Takeover at Twelve Hundred Postcards (blog) from 1pm, 80 Queen's Road, TN34 1RL (opposite Morrison's Petrol Station).

*The YPJ translates as the "Women's Protection Units" (website) and is part of the SDF that has been the ground force of the US-led intervention in Syria (website).