Women around the world call for an end to arms
Governments need to cut military expenditure, and increase their focus and budgets on human security and global cooperation, in order to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, address climate change and ensure a sustainable future, according to an international women’s appeal released today by Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament (PNND), Women Legislators’ Lobby (WiLL) and World Future Council (WFC).
The appeal, Human security for public health, peace and sustainable development is endorsed by more than 240 women legislators, religious leaders and civil society leaders from 50 countries. It was released to coincide with International Women’s Day for Peace and Disarmament (May 24, 2020). It supports, in particular, United Nations’ initiatives for peace and disarmament including the global ceasefire initiative and the UN Secretary-General’s Agenda for Disarmament.
In this regard, Mabel Bianco, president of the Foundation for the Study of Women’s Research (FEIM), warned: «The pandemic showed us the inequality of women. To overcome it we have to end nuclear weapons and also the cost of weapons. We want ourselves alive!