The actress Julia Sawalha joined women expressing their visions for a healthier planet at the launch of WEN's new health project on International Women's Day, Friday March 8 2002, and she invited others to share their own visions by getting involved in the new network of local groups WEN is setting up.

The launch took place on the Millennium Bridge across the River Thames in central London. It was the first event on the pedestrian bridge since it opened to the public at the end of February. WEN supporters wrote their visions on rice paper birds and let them fly above the river.

Women Taking Action for a Healthier Planet is a three-year project, supported by the Community Fund, to set up a self-sustaining network of groups across the UK, empowering women (and men) to do something about links between the environment and human health. The campaign will focus on things like the cocktail of synthetic chemicals in every day use and the damage they are or may be doing to the environment and human health. Many commonly used chemicals are known to disrupt hormones or immune systems and some are cancer-causing. Groups can choose the issues they campaign on locally and will be encouraged to use their consumer and citizen power to demand healthier alternatives to polluting or wasteful products and manufacturing processes.

Julia's vision was of "wind and wave power to illuminate our planet." Other visions expressed on the day included:

"That there will be quality health care access for all and that the health of the environment will be inseparable from personal (human) health."

"…to know the food we eat is not poisoning us, the life around us or future generations."

"…to be able to walk down the street and breathe clean air"

"…to live in a world where the sparrows have come back"

"A world where health is put before profit and greed does not dictate progress."

"…that we can all learn to lead less wasteful lives."

"A world where women's experience, knowledge and inherent wisdom is valued and treasured as a vital resource."

ENDS

Contact: Liz Sutton, Press Officer t: 020 7481 9004, f: 020 7481 9144, e: info@wen.org.uk

Notes to editors
1. WEN is a national charity and membership organisation which campaigns on environmental and health issues from a women's perspective. It educates, informs and empowers women and men who care about the environment.

2. The Millennium Bridge was chosen as it symbolises a vision of a pedestrian-friendly future, and spans the Thames which is now recognised as Europe's cleanest industrial river.

3. Julia Sawalha first came to prominence in the youth drama series 'Press Gang' on ITV in 1989. She has appeared in the BBC dramas 'Martin Chuzzlewit' and 'Pride and Prejudice' and in 'Second Thoughts' with Lynda Bellingham on ITV. She first played the part of Saffy Monsoon in 'Absolutely Fabulous' in 1992.

4. Women Taking Action for a Healthier Planet will strengthen WEN's existing groups and provide support, information and resources to new groups. Several new groups are starting in March. For information on where groups are, visit the website or contact the WEN office. Other established groups, such as trade union branches, Women's Institutes or community groups can also join the network to campaign together on environmental issues.

5. WEN's four main campaign areas are on the environment and health; waste prevention; local organic food; and real nappies.