Julia Ward Howe, the woman credited with initiating Mothers Day in 1870 stated that women should gather together to promote peace.

In harmony with the original meaning of the day, the IANSA Women's Network celebrates and supports those working to stop violence against women in the home, on the streets or on the battlefield, during times of peace or conflict.

Gun violence affects women and their families even when they are not directly in the firing line. Women and girls continue to be misrepresented as the largest number of victims of armed violence, and their efforts to combat armed violence are often marginalised and receive little support.

Women's Network members the Million Mom March are marking Mothers Day across the USA. For some details of events and background information see: http://www.millionmommarch.org/