Amanda Rimmer reports

The Crossroads Women's Centre, based in Kentish Town, is co-ordinating the attempt to get women in Camden and elsewhere to take part in the strike on International Women's Day, March 8. The action is the first global women's strike of its kind. It is estimated that unwaged work contributes as much as £739 billion to the British economy.

The Wages for Housework Campaign, based at the Crossroads Centre, is hoping that women from countries around the world will take part.

Women are being encouraged to take whatever form of strike action they can from 11 am on Wednesday, March 8. Suggested forms of protest could include making a partner or husband take over household or childcare duties, or taking part in a demonstration.

Anne Neale, a spokeswoman for the Crossroads Women's Centre, which is at the junction of Kentish Town Road and Cavendish Road, predicted: "I think it could be very disruptive. When a similar action took place in Iceland in 1975, factories could not function and everything shut down. I'm not saying Camden's strike will be on that scale, but we hope so."

She added: "We have been involved in international actions before, but this is definitely one on a more international scale, because it encompasses women in so many different countries. It is very exciting."

The centre is to hold a day-long event on March 8 at the Union Chapel in Islington from 1pm until 11 pm.