Monday 25 November 2024 was White Ribbon Day, a global observance dedicated to raising awareness about and taking action to prevent violence against women and girls.
This year the theme for White Ribbon Day is #ItStartsWithMen. The White Ribbon movement is encouraging men specifically to challenge the attitudes and behaviours that lead to men's violence against women.
To mark this, and the first of 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence, West Sussex Federation WI held a torchlit vigil in The Carfax in Horsham.
A group of between 30-40 people attended, including three members of Sullington Windmills WI.
We heard speeches from a member of Horsham District Council, a representative from Safe in Sussex (who came to talk to us at our monthly meeting in July this year) and also from the Police and Crime Commissioner for Sussex, Katy Bourne.
We heard about the truly shocking statistics of domestic abuse and took time to look at the bunting on display around the bandstand, providing the names of women (and girls) in Sussex who, in the past five years, have died as a result of violence.
We learnt about the fantastic work that different groups are doing every day to help and support victims of domestic abuse and what we can do ourselves if we believe that someone we know is suffering unheard or unseen abuse.
Listen to them and Believe them and show that you care.
Ultimately encourage them to seek help from any number of support agencies, including Safe in Sussex or the National Domestic Abuse Helpline, for example.
However, anyone in imminent danger should always call 999.
If you are interested in joining the WI for a Parliamentary event during the 16 Days please get in touch with the NFWI. Alternatively check out My WI for other ways you can get involved.
