MARCH 8 is the 100th International Women’s Day, which celebrates women’s achievements worldwide and recognises their ongoing struggle for equality.

In war-torn countries, such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, whole communities are terrorised and destabilised through rape and sexual violence.

The world is a smaller place since the UK suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst fought for women’s rights in the UK. Today, her great-granddaughter, Helen Pankhurst, is fronting a campaign seeking protection from violence for women in conflict situations.

Helen’s work with CARE International UK shows the women’s movement is now as global as the politics and economics that have historically held it back.

CARE’s Voices Against Violence campaign enables people in the UK to speak out for women in conflict around the world. I would ask readers to act locally to protect women globally – by joining Helen in supporting the campaign at careinternational.org.uk/vav.

Lucy Ross, Lawrence Street, York.