Silent Vigil at Hampshire Federation of WI

For the last two years Hampshire County Federation of WI (Hampshire WI) has been actively supporting the NFWI campaign No More Violence Against Women and Girls. This campaign is important and personal to our members, but not everyone is aware of the extent of gender-based violence in the UK.

• Every week in the UK 2 women are murdered by a partner or ex-partner
• An estimated 1.6million women in England and Wales experienced domestic abuse in the year ending March 24
• 1,350,428 domestic abuse related crimes and incidents in England and Wales were reported to the police, in the year ending March 2024
• Every 30 seconds a domestic abuse related call is made to the police, but less than 1 in 5 victims and survivors report it to the police.
• 1 in 3 pregnant women suffer domestic abuse
• Young people aged 16 – 24 were the highest percentage of victims of domestic abuse in year ending March 24

Our Federation trustees and local WIs have encouraged people, in particular men, to sign the White Ribbon Not in my Name pledge to never use, excuse or remain silent about men’s violence against women. We believe everyone can play their part in preventing gender-based violence.

On November 25 Hampshire WI members will be holding a candlelight vigil at Portsmouth Cenotaph, Guildhall Square, 5pm – 7pm. It will be a peaceful period of reflection and hopes to raise awareness about gender-based violence whilst encouraging people to sign the White Ribbon pledge. We will have (battery operated) tealights and be gathered by the Cenotaph

Hampshire WI Chair Katrina Kemp said “Enough is enough, we are a quarter of the way through the 21st century, this shouldn’t still be happening. We want to increase awareness and for everyone to recognise that violence against women is more common than most people realise.”

Hampshire WI Resolutions Lead Diana Calcraft said: “Many of our WI members support their local refuge by fundraising through holding events and activities. But what is tragic is that there is a need for refuges throughout the County. This vigil is to show support for women who have sustained violence and abuse.”

Hampshire WI Trustee and active campaigner Melody Morgan said: “There are many good men out there who abhor the violence some women suffer and we invite them to support us in our action to show that real men don’t hurt women, to sign the pledge and wear the white ribbon proudly.”