Coventry to Host Vigil Honoring Women Killed by Male Violence

A vigil paying tribute to women who have been killed by men is scheduled to be held in Coventry. Attendees will gather at the memorial on Smithford Way this Saturday, which will feature a display of shoes. Each pair will represent a woman in the UK who has lost her life as a result of male violence in the last year, and their names will be read out every hour. The event has been organized by a group of women in Coventry and Warwickshire as part of the Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, which takes place two days later. Tracey Cownden, one of the organisers, stated that the annual vigil began in November 2021 to remember women “whose lives have been so cruelly cut short in the previous year”. Cownden added, “We feel we owe it to the victims to repeat the event every year and provide more information about where any woman experiencing abuse can go to seek help.” She also noted, “This year is particularly significant, as the new government has made reducing male violence against women and girls a key manifesto commitment.” Members of Parliament, councillors, charities, and service providers will also be giving short speeches throughout the day. The event will take place from 09:00 to 17:00 GMT.