24/05/2026
Today, 24 May, is International Women's Day for Disarmament, a day to think about women and girls in , in and everywhere where armed conflict rages, and where and are denied; and a day to remember and celebrate women past and present who reject violence as a means of resolving conflict, working instead for disarmament, peace and real security for all - today and every day 💕
It is a day to reflect on the millions of women around the world who are denied and while so many states (including Zealand) prioritise endless preparations for war - collectively spending more than $2,887 billion (USD, ±$4,910 billion NZD), on combat ready armed forces last year - instead of investing in women's wellbeing and real security that meet the needs of all ... https://www.facebook.com/PeaceMovementAotearoa/posts/1419085846915210
Here in Aotearoa, the Ministry for Women's funding allocation in (for "improving the lives of NZ women") is a mere 0.16% of the amount allocated for military spending last year, and 0.26% of the amount allocated so far for the year ahead, https://www.facebook.com/PeaceMovementAotearoa/posts/1131737118983419
While much of the excess military spending as pursues a range of militaristic fantasies, including an Air Force space squadron, as it seeks to be a combat capable “force multiplier” with “enhanced lethality and deterrent effect” was funded by the destruction of the pay equity process, $3 billion a year stolen from thousands of underpaid women (see, for example https://www.psa.org.nz/news-media/budget-confirms-12-8-billion-theft-of-wages-from-women-pay-equity-betrayal-laid-bare and https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/05/22/budget-2025-kiwisaver-changes-pay-equity-savings-revealed ).
Thirty-three pay equity claims were cancelled allegedly to “free up” $1.8 billion for “capital investment”, negatively impacting thousands of women ... then $2 billion was spent on five combat helicopters, https://www.facebook.com/PeaceMovementAotearoa/posts/1231590028998127
fans Pacific Network on Globalisation Quakers in Nelson Oxfam in the Pacific Pax Christi International Pax Christi Aotearoa Pacific Conference of Churches GCOMS - Global Campaign on Military Spending Global Campaign on Military Spending UK Women's International League for Peace and Freedom National Council of Women of New Zealand femLINKpacific Peace Pledge Union Y25 Aotearoa Lower Hutt Women's Centre DIVA for Equality FIJI Fiji Women's Crisis Centre Fiji Women's Rights Movement
