On Friday 24th November women across Liverpool are being encouraged to wear orange to mark the United Nations’ Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls.
Tomorrow’s Women Wirral will be holding an event from 12pm – 3pm to the United Nations’ Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls! (VAWG). All women are invited to join in marking this day and supporting all victims and survivors of gendered violence.
Violence Against Women is a global issue. 1 in 3 women will experience gendered violence in their lifetime. Here on Merseyside there are many brilliant charities and organisations working to support survivors of gendered violence. Between March 2016 & March 2017, over 42% of new referrals to Tomorrow’s Women Wirral disclosed direct experience of Domestic Abuse at their first meeting with the service. Many women, on top of this percentage, often divulge their experiences on subsequent visits.
This year women across the world will be wearing Orange in solidarity with women across the globe, survivors of violence and champions of equality!
The event will host speakers including:
- Emily Spurrell – Deputy Police & Crime Commissioner for Merseyside
- Anita Leech – Wirral Council’s Champion for Zero Tolerance to Domestic Abuse
- Jo Wood – RASA Merseyside – (rape and sexual assault support service on Merseyside)
- Laura McIntyre – Changing Lives – (providing advice and support for vulnerable women including sex workers)
- Tania Vera-Rigby – Savera UK – (challenging attitudes towards domestic abuse and harmful practices in BME communities)
- Nicola Fenton – TWW’s Domestic Abuse Empowerment Advisor
- Involve North West
- & more!
The event will also host a performance from TWW’s Empowering Voices Choir as well as providing a free lunch for all attendees.
Kate Menear, Communications Officer organising the event at TWW said, “Whether you are a survivor, you know one or work with survivors of violence, domestic abuse or otherwise, we can all do our bit in the journey to equality and support an end to violence against women and girls globally. 1 in 3 women experience violence globally – we’re raising awareness to eventually reduce that statistic.”
“We know this event won’t end VAWG overnight, but we can certainly show somebody who may be dealing with a difficult situation that they’re not alone, and that there are people who are there to support them at any stage of their journey.”
Tomorrow’s Women Wirral is a small charity based in Birkenhead working with thousands of women, empowering them to make positive lifestyle changes. TWW have over 4800 registered with their service currently. TWW offers classes courses and activities for all women, including DA survivors, to build confidence and self-esteem.
For members of the public wishing to attend, feel free to pop along to our event, wear orange and call for an end to violence against women and girls! The event is open to women only.