Representatives from Savera UK, a leading charity tackling ‘honour’-based abuse (HBA) and harmful practices, are set to mark the annual “Day of Memory” for those lost to ‘honour’ killings and ‘honour’-based abuse with a ribbon-tying ceremony at Liverpool’s Pier Head (4:30pm – 5:30pm).
The short ceremony will begin at 4:30pm with introductions and speeches from Savera UK Chair, Aislinn O’Dwyer, CEO and Founder, Afrah Qassim and Merseyside’s Police’s Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) lead Chief Superintendent, Ngaire Waine.
An estimated 12 – 15 ‘honour’ killings take place each year in the UK, yet the figure for this ‘hidden’ crime is just the tip of the iceberg, due to under-reporting of HBA and harmful practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM) and forced/child marriage, and a lack of understanding about these issues.
Attendees at the ceremony will be invited to tie orange ribbons to railings at the city’s Pier Head as a mark of remembrance for those lost, to signify a brighter future for a world where HBA and harmful practices no longer exist and to symbolise hope for survivors who have made the brave decision to flee and find their new beginning.
Ayo Folarin, a member of the Savera UK Youth Advisory Board (YAB), will also perform poetry written by the organisation’s youth representatives, after a minute’s silence is held to remember those lost to ‘honour’ killings.
After the ceremony, members of the Savera UK team will be available to discuss the charity’s work and the issues it tackles with members of the public.
Speaking ahead of the Day of Memory, Afrah Qassim said: “It is vitally important that we use this day to not just remember those lost to ‘honour’ killings but also those whose lives are or could be affected by ‘honour’-based abuse. HBA is a hidden crime and one that is often forgotten or not afforded the same level of visibility as other forms of abuse or violence.
“HBA can affect anyone, regardless of background, culture, age, sexuality or gender identity. This is why Savera UK exists – to support those at risk, to educate people around these issues and work toward eradicating harmful practices for good. We remember those lost, we see those who are affected and we will do whatever it takes to help them find their savera, which means ‘new beginning’ in Hindi.”
Afrah recently won the “Women of Courage” award at the Merseyside Women of the Year awards. She was recognised at the annual event for her work establishing the charity and extending the support provided regionally via its one-to-one services and nationally via the charity’s helpline.
The national Day of Memory is held annually on July 14th to remember those lost to ‘honour’ killings and HBA. The date was Warrington teenager Shafilea Ahmed’s birthday, but in 2003,17-year-old Shafilea was murdered by her parents for refusing a forced marriage and becoming ‘too westernised’, in the eyes of her family and community.
Iconic buildings and landmarks across the Liverpool City Region will be illuminated bright orange from this evening (Thursday 25th November), as part of a campaign aimed at ending gender-based violence.
We are partnering to raise awareness of gender-based violence and abuse in the UK and around the world, through a series of events and initiatives that will take place during the United Nation’s 16 Days of Activism, which run from the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls on 25th November to Human Rights Day on 10th December.
The campaign will begin with the illumination of landmarks in the Liverpool City Region and beyond in memory of all those lost to male violence, but also as a symbol of hope for a brighter future free of fear. Landmarks being illuminated include Liverpool Town Hall, St George’s Hall, Cunard Building, World Museum Liverpool, Merseyside Police Headquarters, Rose Hill and its Canning Place offices, Greystone Footbridge in Knowsley, Mersey Gateway Bridge in Halton and Wallasey Town Hall in Wirral. Everton FC will support the campaign by illuminating Goodison Park in solidarity, while Sefton Council will be “lighting up digitally” on 25th November to mark the start of the 16 days of the campaign. Outside of the city region, the Library of Birmingham will also illuminate in support of the campaign and individuals across the UK are also being invited to light an orange candle or light at home after sunset and place it in a window, as a mark of remembrance and symbol of hope.
Our campaign also features an activismtoolkit that will make it easier for people to participate in and engage with the 16 days of activism.The toolkit addresses themes such as allyship, advocacy and knowledge, and includes a bank of resources including social media assets and fact sheets, information about local and national organisations tackling gender-based violence, and events that people can attend to learn more.
The campaign will culminate in an online panel discussion on Thursday 9th December (4pm – 6pm), Culture is Beautiful: No Excuse for Abuse, which will tackle the harmful ways that culture is wrongly conflated with human rights abuses against women and girls.
Savera UK CEO and founder, Afrah Qassim and Britt Gustawsson of Zonta International will be joined by a panel including Mansi Mehta, Deputy Director, Global Cause Partnerships from UNICEF USA, Dr Elham Manea from Zurich University, a political scientist specialised on the Arab Middle East, Nazir Afzal OBE, former Chief Prosecutor for the North West (UK) and Savera UK patron, and Dr Leyla Hussein OBE, a psychotherapist, specialising in supporting survivors of sexual abuse.
This year’s campaign ‘Orange the World’ campaign is more vital than ever, as violence against women remains devastatingly pervasive in our society. In the 28 weeks following the kidnap and murder of Sarah Everard on 3rd March this year, 81 other women were killed in circumstances where the suspect is a man.
A recently-released government survey also found that 97% of 18–24 year-old women have been sexually harassed, while 80% of all women have been sexually harassed in public.
Savera UK CEO and Founder, Afrah Qassim, said: “The statistics about gender-based violence are shocking yet, sadly, no longer surprising. Across their lifetime, 1 in 3 women – around 736 million – will be subjected to physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner or sexual violence from a non-partner. This figure has remained largely unchanged over the last 10 years.
“It has never been more important for people to take action against gender-based violence. Activism takes many forms and even the smallest steps, such as educating yourself about different forms of abuse or identifying yourself as an ally can have an enormous impact. Our Orange the World toolkit provides a starting point for people to enact change.”
Zonta Club London President, Anne-Li Stjernholm, said: “As organisations Savera UK and Zonta Club London are very much aligned on our aim to promote a world without violence against women and girls and this partnership is very valuable for us. We hope it will last for many years to come and that we can expand our reach. Speaking with one voice makes our message so much stronger.”
Merseyside’s Police Commissioner Emily Spurrell said: “We know there are women and girls – relatives, neighbours, friends and colleagues – who are suffering gender-based abuse and violence in our communities every single day.
“Today, and over the next 16 days, we want to make it clear that there is no excuse for abuse. This campaign is about demonstrating our shared commitment to eradicating violence against women and girls. By lighting up some of Merseyside’s most iconic building in orange, we are sending out a visible message that are determined to create a brighter future for women and girls, free from violence and abuse.
“I would urge any woman or girl who is experiencing abuse to please reach out for help. There are many fantastic organisations on hand to offer care and support across Merseyside, please visit www.victimcaremerseyside.org for more information.”
Merseyside Police ACC, Ngaire Waine, said: “As a society we all need to take a strong stance against attacks on women and girls, who should be empowered to live their lives without fear of sexual objectification, harassment, or physical and mental abuse.
“Alongside our partners we are committed to making the streets, homes and environments across Merseyside safer for women and girls so they can enjoy their lives to the full without fear.
“Merseyside Police will continue to target perpetrators of this abhorrent abuse and we will support and work with women and girls who are subjected to stalking or harassment, violence, domestic abuse, honour-based abuse or any other crimes based on their gender, so we can identify offenders and put them before the courts.”
Mayor of Liverpool Joanne Anderson said: “Women and girls are disproportionately affected by gender-based violence and abuse, and tackling it is a priority. I am proud of the vital work being done by frontline organisations across the city, providing much-needed specialist support to survivors. The Orange the World campaign raises awareness and understanding of the issue and symbolises our city’s commitment to eliminating all forms of violence.”