Just by wearing black for a day, you will be standing alongside those affected by gender inequality.  It’s a peaceful protest that puts the conversation on the table, audaciously suggesting that gender equality is essential to our fight for justice.

Here’s an insight into the world…Violence causes more death and disability worldwide amongst women aged 15 – 44 than war, cancer, malaria or traffic accidents (Directorate of Public Health). Annually 2 million girls between the ages of 5 – 15 are abducted, sold or trafficked into the illegal sex market (International Humanitarian Campaign Against the Exploitation of Children). And women’s nominal wages are 17 percent lower than men’s. (Unifem)Let’s put the conversation on the table. Let’s just say it - the world is unfair. But men and women can work together to end the inequality between them, and then we can start to end poverty.
 
Every Thursday people across the globe wear black as a personal and public protest against gender-based violence and inequality. It is a symbol of strength and remembrance, standing in solidarity with victims of violence and discrimination and demanding a fairer world for all. 

    ‘Gender equality is critical to the development and peace of every nation.’ (Kofi Annan)
 
The idea for a new UK expression of the Thursdays in Black movement was born in Devon this year after firsthand encounters with people across the world - both victims and activists.  Today the campaign focuses on ways in which we can all challenge the attitudes that cause discrimination, inequality and violence. It provides an opportunity for people to become part of a worldwide movement which transforms our outrage into action.  From running events to recording albums, writing a blog or simply having a special Thursday wardrobe… together we are making a stand for justice.
 
However, it’s not enough to simply have a campaign message. Any campaign with such high hopes has to be shot through with integrity. That’s why for Thursdays in Black it’s as much about our ethos as it is about the message. We want to stand out not just because of the cause but because of the way we operate. We will be ethical, transparent, eco friendly and deliberately un-glossy. It probably sounds a bit idealistic? It is. It has to be. Doesn’t the world needs some ideals to live up to and an un-cynical dream to grasp?
 
We will be outspoken for the sake of those who are silenced. We will be outraged alongside those who are oppressed. We will be different because it’s about time. Only with these high standards can we begin to be effective and most importantly we will be true to those inspiring women we represent.  You can read more and join the movement at http://thursdaysinblack.ning.com.