Jackie Stamp, CEO, attended Buckingham Palace in a Call to Action as part of the 16 Days of Activism to end violence against women.

“Collectively and individually, we were asserting our determination to stand up, not stand by.”

16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence starts with UN Day Against the Elimination of Violence Against Women and culminates today on UN Human Rights Day. To mark the 16 Days, our CEO, Jackie Stamp, was invited to a special event at Buckingham Palace, bringing together a range of campaigners, charities and survivors, all working to support victims of violence against women.

Jackie tells us about her experience below, and her thoughts on ending violence against women:

“Last week I was privileged to be invited to Buckingham Palace as a guest of the Queen Consort, to raise the profile of violence against women. I joined a large group of impassioned women and men from across the UK and internationally in a ‘call to action’ to anyone and everyone in a position to do something.

We were joined by royalty and dignitaries from Belgium, Jordan, Denmark, Sierra Leone and Ukraine and it felt like a truly international, intersectional movement against what can only be described as a scourge in our society. Collectively and individually, we were asserting our determination to stand up, not stand by.

Last year alone, New Pathways supported over 10,000 adults and children affected by sexual violence across Wales. 1 in 6 women experience sexual violence in adulthood. These figures demonstrate how widespread the issue really is, with a personal story of trauma behind each and every number.

Globally, sexual violence is used as a systemic tool of violence in war and genocide, with women and children being the majority of victims. Women experience rape, sexual assault, domestic abuse, coercive control, honour-based violence, female genital mutation, sexual exploitation, stalking and sexual harassment on an endemic scale.

If enough people stand up and speak out against every form of violence against women and sexual violence, including challenging the everyday occurrences of so-called ‘low-level’ harassment, we could see a significant cultural impact. If this movement can spread and build a society that is intolerant of all perpetrators, then and only then will we eradicate violence against women.

I am proud to add my voice and commitment to the fight against this endemic issue – we must, and we can, eliminate violence against women in all its forms.”

The 16 Days are used to organise organisations and campaigners around the world to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls. This year’s theme was “UNITE! Activism to end violence against women and girls” and invites everyone to play their role in ending violence against women and girls. You can find out how to get involved next year, and every day here: https://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-violence-against-women/unite/16-days-of-activism

You can watch the Queen Consort’s speech on violence against women here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7aKijYForA

You can read more about the event at Buckingham Palace here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-63795042

To find out more about the history of New Pathways, see: https://www.newpathways.org.uk/about-us/