Women's association «Skudras» holds photo-orienteering game «Safe Riga» in the capital

On Saturday, 24 October, the photo-orienteering game «Safe Riga» took place in Riga, organised by the women's association «Women for Protection «Skudras»» (Latvian for "ants"). The event aimed to familiarise participants with how to act in crises and emergencies. The association has chosen «Yellow Curtains», a song by Edvīns Zariņš from Bauska, as its anthem.

About the association

«Skudras» was founded on 11 June this year as a patriotic, independent Latvian women's non-governmental organisation. Its goal is to strengthen women's readiness for crises and military threats. It was set up by women of various professions who share a belief in the important role women play in maintaining societal resilience during war and crises, association representatives said.

How the game worked

The game began at the Congress House. Participants needed a charged smartphone with the mobile app «Roadgames» and had to visit five checkpoints:

• At Riga City Council, Rātslaukums 1, visitors could see a shelter and learn what a 72-hour emergency bag contains;
• At Riga State Gymnasium No. 2, Krišjāņa Valdemāra iela 1, an evacuation centre had been set up;
• At Šarlotes iela 1B, Latvian Red Cross representatives demonstrated first aid;
• Near the Latvian National Opera, Aspazijas bulvāris 3, «Skudras» members presented a family action plan for crisis situations;
• At the Fire Fighting Museum, Hanzas iela 5, visitors learned how to act in emergencies.

Those who visited all five checkpoints could enter a prize draw with prizes provided by supporters.

A programme of activities and entertainment also took place at the Congress House. An information stand operated, protective camouflage nets for Ukraine were woven, and children were entertained by Tuta the Fox. The concert featured Miks Galvanovskis, the groups «Laime pilnīga» and «Bekars», Jānis Bukums and musicians of the National Armed Forces orchestra.

Future plans

The association is building a network of women across Latvia and invites members to learn together, share experience and support one another. It cites practical knowledge and skills, greater confidence in crises, belonging to a strong women's community and the chance to contribute to public safety as benefits. «Skudras» intends to develop a training programme for women in all regions of Latvia and to create local communities. Participants could become auxiliaries of the Latvian National Guard (Zemessardze). According to the association, as ascertained by «Bauskas Dzīve», interest in «Skudras» in Bauska municipality is so far small.