Craft Installation Raises Awareness of Violence Against Women and Girls

A collective of activists is utilizing crafting skills to draw attention to the issue of violence against women and girls (VAWG). Worcester Craftivists have created a crocheted rose for each woman and girl murdered by a man in the UK during the past year. These roses have been assembled into an art installation, which is currently being showcased at various locations throughout the city. “We’re hoping that through this beautiful piece of art we will highlight the shocking prevalence of gendered crimes and male violence,” stated Leisa Taylor, a member of Worcester Craftivists and the project’s curator. The display also includes information about the women represented by the flowers. Ms. Taylor reported that, on average, eight women per month have been killed by a man over the last 12 months, a statistic she noted had surprised some visitors to the installation. She observed, “I’ve seen people come and engage with it not quite knowing what they’re coming to engage with and doing a bit of a ‘recoil’. It’s pretty, but then it’s quite hard-hitting when you start reading it and once you realise what the project actually is.” Worcester Craftivists, established in May, defines itself as a collective that employs “the power of stitch to promote action to make the world a better place.” The group aims for the roses to be seen by as many people as possible. “You hear about VAWG but you don’t often see it like this, represented in a different way that people can get involved with,” Ms. Taylor commented, adding her hope that the project would encourage authorities to take stronger action. She further elaborated, “[The UK’s] defence budget is huge. We spend loads of money on deterrants against perceived violent threats yet we don’t invest in our sisters, our daughters, our mothers, the women who we walk alongside every day.” The installation is presently on display at the Artery Studios in the Arches until December 4. It will then be featured at the Reclaim the Night march through the city on December 5, before relocating to the Guildhall where it will remain until December 10. For further updates, follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X, and Instagram. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content found on external websites. Details regarding our external linking policy are available.