On Sunday 11 June, CEO Sue Coleman and WMWA ambassador and supporter Wendy Troy were invited guests at a service at St Paul’s Cathedral to remember those women and girls whose lives have been lost to violence, and to celebrate their lives.
The event was inspired by Mina Smallman, and marked the third anniversary of the violent deaths of her daughters Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman. The event was a call to action and a challenge to all to declare “It’s Time” to demand the change that will end violence against women and girls.
The event was opened by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, who pledged support for the campaign, and The Kingdom Choir and the Eternal Taal Dohl Drummers filled the vast space with glorious music. Jess Phillips MP read the names of those women who had died as a consequence of male violence so far this year, and each name echoed through St Paul’s Cathedral and hung in the air… a list that took far too long to read – and it’s only June.
For over 40 years West Mercia Women’s Aid have been working for a world that is free from domestic abuse and violence against women and girls – it really is time that something changed, and it was a privilege to be part of such an important event.
You can watch the full service here.