As part of the Day for Darfur observances last weekend, 26 prominent women from around the world issued an open letter to world leaders calling for increased efforts to end the violence in that region. Signers included actresses Cate Blanchett and Mia Farrow, noted author Germaine Greer, and former President of Ireland Mary Robinson. According to The Australian, the letter read in part,
“”As women from four continents, we urge world leaders to step up the pressure on all parties in the conflict to agree to an immediate ceasefire,” said the women, including Body Shop founder Anita Roddick, who signed before her death this week.
“There must be more and better humanitarian assistance and greater commitment to peace and peace-building.”
The women said there was now a “real window of opportunity” to make progress with an upcoming meeting on Darfur at the United Nations general assembly later this month.
“A comprehensive political solution is needed, of course,” they added. “But an effective ceasefire is the only way to put an immediate stop to the suffering affecting millions of people in Darfur and eastern Chad.
“Now is the time for world leaders to move beyond sympathy for the suffering. It is time to make it stop.”"
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