COVENTRIANS will get the chance to remember women across the UK who have been killed by men over the past year at a poignant vigil on Saturday.
The third annual vigil has been organised by a group of local women and will take place between 9am and 5pm at Smithford Way.
Saturday marks the International Day for the elimination of violence against women.
On average, at least two women are killed by men each week.
The vigil aims to honour the women who have died, raise awareness of the issue of male violence against women and girls, and showcase available local support services.
Each woman’s name will be read aloud every hour, on the hour, following a poetry piece.
Survivors of violence, service providers and Coventry City Councillors will make a series of speeches between midday and 2pm.
Popular artist Nehanda will be singing a selection of her own songs and the square will be filled with shoes – one pair for each dead woman.
Following the vigil, the shoes will be donated to local women’s organisations.
Coventry Haven Women’s Aid, Kairos Women Working Together, and the women’s service at Change Grow Live will be on hand to give advice and support throughout the vigil.
The lead organiser of the vigil, Tracey Cownden said: “Data shows one woman is killed every three days by a man in the UK – these are mothers, sisters and daughters.
“In most cases, the public hardly takes notice of these women and almost no notice of the perpetrators.
“It was only when I volunteered for Coventry Haven Women’s Aid in 2019 that I became aware of the ultimate consequence of domestic abuse and of women being killed by their partners, ex-partners and sons.
“We want to publicly commemorate each woman by saying their names and we will continue to take a stance to end male violence against women and girls.”
