Shocking reality of gender-based violence
Never an easy topic – with good reason - we must nevertheless remember the shocking number of women killed each year as a result of gender-based violence, says CEO Lucy Budge on White Ribbon Day 2022.
Femicide is generally defined as the killing of a woman or a girl, particularly by a man, on account of her gender. We know that, in the UK a woman is killed by a current or former partner every three days. (1)
It often shocks people when they hear that stark reality. It still shocks me and gives me goosebumps, every time I have to say it. But it’s important that we keep shining a light on, and fighting to end, femicide.
In 2021, around 45,000 women and girls worldwide were killed by intimate partners or other family members – that’s an average of more than five women or girls killed every hour by someone in their own family. (2)
In 2019, 110 women were killed in the UK. In 2020, this number rose to 128. (3)
Real women, not just numbers
The Femicide Census Report 2020 is dedicated all the women who were killed in that year. Reading their names (including the names of local women) makes for extremely chilling reading. These are not just statistics. These women were daughters, wives, sisters, mothers, aunts, friends, girlfriends, employees, with their own stories and histories.
The Femicide Census tells us that, “Men’s violence against women is a leading cause of the premature death for women globally.” This has to change.
Domestic abuse is one such example of gender-based violence. At My Sisters’ House we work tirelessly to ensure that women are supported through their experiences of domestic abuse; to reduce risk and increase safety in cases of current abuse, and to support recovery for women and their children, where the abuse has ended, but the effects remain.
Whilst we seek to empower, support and advocate on behalf of our clients, EVERYONE can play a role in ending violence against women and girls.
Make a difference
#16Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is an international campaign championed annually by individuals and organisations across the world to raise awareness, and call for the elimination of, violence against women and girls. The theme of #16Days this year is #LetsEndFemicide.
Follow me, and MSH on Twitter throughout the 16 Days of Activism and beyond, to find out more about violence against women and girls, how we support vulnerable women at MSH, what is being done locally, nationally and globally to end this violence, and what you can do to help!
@MSHChiefExec Follow me on Twitter
@MySistersHouse4 Follow MSH on Twitter
Make a promise
The #16Days begin with White Ribbon Day on the 25 of November. Their campaign focuses on the difference men can make, including signing up to the White Ribbon Day promise:
“I promise to never use, excuse or remain silent about men’s violence against women.”
References
The Femicide Census Report 2020 p8 (2022)
Gender-related killings of women and girls (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 2022)