Women in Black (WiB) is a world-wide network of women committed to peace with justice and actively opposed to injustice, war, militarism and other forms of violence. As women experiencing these things in different ways in different regions of the world, we support each other’s movements. An important focus is challenging the militarist policies of our own governments. We are not an organisation, but a means of communicating and a formula for action.
WiB vigils originated in Jerusalem, Israel in January 1988, in response to the beginning of the first Palestinian Intifada. The message “Stop the Occupation” appeared on the image of a hand signalling “stop”.
It’s hard to know how many vigils there are today. But an example of the reach is when WiB in Israel/Palestine, as part of a coalition of Women for a Just Peace, called for vigils in June 2001 against the Occupation of Palestinian lands, at least 150 WiB groups across the world responded.
In the UK there are regular vigils in Bradford, Cambridge, Edinburgh, Oxford, Portsmouth as well as Leeds.
There are many different ways to stand for justice and to support those denied their human rights.
Solidarity and presence can be powerful ways of non-violent action.
The key points about these groups actions are:-
- It’s non-religious but can feel very prayerful standing with this silent group of mainly older women.
- Its symbolic -we can’t be in Palestine or Ukraine, for example, but we can be in solidarity with the suffering of the people there and highlight the injustices of the conflict and the occupation.
- It’s a consistent presence and brings the people of the West Bank into people’s minds.
- It’s a stand against hopelessness when some people say to us ‘oh nothing will change-in the Middle East they are always fighting’.
Leeds Group
By Carol Burns, Women in Black Leeds
A Women in Black group started in Leeds in September 2019 organised by women of faith and no faith.
We stand in silence for an hour wearing black and holding a banner which says End the Occupation with the colours of the Palestinian flag in the background.
The silence is important, it requires discipline from us all, demonstrations and vigils can often be noisy, the world around is noisy, so we stand out, it’s unusual and a signal perhaps that sometimes words aren’t enough.
We take it in turns to give out leaflets and encourage dialogue with passers by
It can be a challenge to be patient, not to get angry, to give the other point of view, – to listen to those who engage with us. I’ve had some special conversations over the years.
Some people are genuinely enquiring I have had a long conversation with a young Christian man trying to understand the conflicting claims to the land of Palestine and an even younger British Jew who seemed to know nothing about the plight of the Palestinians.
Often people give us a thumbs up as they go past, and others take our photograph.
I value this chance to be with other women who care about the same things and to make my small contribution to supporting the Palestinians and to draw attention to the injustice they experience.
Many groups are working on campaigning and education on the issue of Palestinian Rights and some of the women who came to the Women in Black sessions are also involved in other organisations.
Bradford Group
Joyce Robertshaw Women in Black Bradford
We contacted the Bradford WiB group with the following questions:
- What does the movement mean to you?
- What do you find significant about silent vigils?
- Do you think that the vigils should be done in collaboration with groups who do more forceful campaigning?
- What do you find empowering about the Women in Black movement?
And these were the responses from members:
“WiB movement is important because it routinely and perennially makes the statement that people oppose war. At all times.”
“We all feel that the wearing of black and standing in silence are very important and as said above has a powerful effect. Two women give out leaflets and engage in discussion and answer questions from members of the public and we usually have a positive effect.”
“The silent vigil is a very powerful weapon in the protest armoury. It makes the point quietly but with great strength of feeling.”
“It’s empowering to know it was started by women and is the powerful and persistent voice of women, who are often silenced. It’s groups of women opposing war across cultures and around the world.”
“I joined Bradford Women in Black to support a national women’s protest platform. The silence for me is a powerful approach as I see people walking through the city centre engaging, reading the leaflet and talking to those giving out the leaflets and indicating visual support. It’s a regular event which makes me think each time about our subject and silently reflect on my position. It has raised my awareness which I share with others. I like that we decide together through our WhatsApp group without ponderous debate as the monthly vigils enables us to cover a wide range of issues. CND are a great back up for protest information and support. Their history is worth volumes in the world of action. I personally wouldn’t want to join with any other more forceful group – I believe there’s room for all.”
“I joined Bradford Women in Black to support a national women’s protest platform. The silence for me is a powerful approach as I see people walking through the city centre engaging, reading the leaflet and talking to those giving out the leaflets and indicating visual support. It’s a regular event which makes me think each time about our subject and silently reflect on my position. It has raised my awareness which I share with others. I like that we decide together through our WhatsApp group without ponderous debate as the monthly vigils enables us to cover a wide range of issues. CND are a great back up for protest information and support. Their history is worth volumes in the world of action. I personally wouldn’t want to join with any other more forceful group – I believe there’s room for all.”
“I joined Bradford Women in Black to support a national women’s protest platform. The silence for me is a powerful approach as I see people walking through the city centre engaging, reading the leaflet and talking to those giving out the leaflets and indicating visual support. It’s a regular event which makes me think each time about our subject and silently reflect on my position. It has raised my awareness which I share with others. I like that we decide together through our WhatsApp group without ponderous debate as the monthly vigils enables us to cover a wide range of issues. CND are a great back up for protest information and support. Their history is worth volumes in the world of action. I personally wouldn’t want to join with any other more forceful group – I believe there’s room for all.”The themes of our vigils this year have been January : peace in Palestine, February: opposition to nuclear weapons, March: the anniversary of Ukraine war, April: against the arms trade. You can see more information and photos on our Facebook page and Twitter. Just search for Bradford Women in Black. Certainly, anyone is free to join in on any vigil, as long as they keep our protocols.
We have a leaflet on our theme each month, here is the one from March:
