No More Violence: Join the WI Walk with Women
On Friday 19 March 2021, WI members and friends joined #WIWalkwithWomen to show their support for all women who have experienced abuse and harassment. Between 6 pm and 7 pm, members walked down their streets in their local areas with a candle or lantern to raise awareness of violence against women and stand in solidarity with survivors. Head over to My WI to view our gallery of some of the WIs and members who took part.
We are asking WI members to use our template letter and email their MP on this issue. For a copy of the letter and for more information on the No More Violence campaign, get in touch with us at PA@nfwi.org.uk.
In more detail
Violence against women is endemic in the UK and across the world. Tragic events in the last week must be the beginning of the conversation about women’s safety and the right to live in a world free from the fear of violence, harassment and abuse. We’ve seen women courageously share their harrowing stories of abuse, harassment, and countless microaggressions. It is wrong that women are told to protect themselves from the threat of violence from a young age, as well as the ‘invisible safety work’ women do in their daily lives. Enough is enough.
Tackling violence against women has been a longstanding concern for the WI, and whilst work has already started through our Not in My Name and No More Violence campaigns, we acknowledge that more needs to be done to eradicate all forms of violence, harassment and abuse against women. Today and every day, the WI stands in solidarity with all women.
We need to:
For the latest Government guidance on Covid-19 restrictions please visit: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-lockdown-stay-at-home
For information on support services please visit: https://www.thewi.org.uk/dv-support
We are asking WI members to use our template letter and email their MP on this issue. For a copy of the letter and for more information on the No More Violence campaign, get in touch with us at PA@nfwi.org.uk.
In more detail
Violence against women is endemic in the UK and across the world. Tragic events in the last week must be the beginning of the conversation about women’s safety and the right to live in a world free from the fear of violence, harassment and abuse. We’ve seen women courageously share their harrowing stories of abuse, harassment, and countless microaggressions. It is wrong that women are told to protect themselves from the threat of violence from a young age, as well as the ‘invisible safety work’ women do in their daily lives. Enough is enough.
Tackling violence against women has been a longstanding concern for the WI, and whilst work has already started through our Not in My Name and No More Violence campaigns, we acknowledge that more needs to be done to eradicate all forms of violence, harassment and abuse against women. Today and every day, the WI stands in solidarity with all women.
We need to:
- Stop normalising violence by men against women
- See firm commitments and concrete solutions from politicians that target the behaviour of perpetrators, not those which focus on the actions of women who are attacked.
- Ensure that the Government’s upcoming ‘Tackling Violence against Women’ strategy improves systems of reporting, and leads to prosecutions and convictions, thereby increasing women’s confidence in the justice system.
- Include recognition of misogyny as a hate crime before the Domestic Abuse Bill achieves royal assent next month, to ensure all incidents of violence and abuse against women and girls are recorded.
- Ensure that all men and boys are educated on this issue and encourage male peers to speak out against it.
- Share your views and experiences to help inform the Government’s next Tackling Violence against Women and Girls Strategy. The Government has re-opened their nationwide Call for Evidence to inform their next Tackling Violence against Women and Girls Strategy. This Call for Evidence would like to hear the views of as many individuals as possible who have either lived experience of the issue, or expertise in working with victims and survivors and providing services. The survey closes at 11.45 pm on 26 March 2021 and can be accessed here: www.gov.uk/government/consultations/violence-against-women-and-girls-vawg-call-for-evidence
- Use our template letter to write to your MP on this issue. Email us at PA@nfwi.org.uk for your copy.
- Sign Women’s Aid’s online petition, requiring local authorities to fund specific domestic abuse services for women: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/577718
- Continue to support survivors in your community by attending one of Women’s Aid’s upcoming webinar on responding to domestic abuse in your community: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/breaking-the-silence-responding-to-domestic-abuse-in-your-communities-registration-145072976177
For the latest Government guidance on Covid-19 restrictions please visit: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-lockdown-stay-at-home
For information on support services please visit: https://www.thewi.org.uk/dv-support