Campaign to raise awareness of femicide in Ireland

By Kernan Andrews

A campaign to honour the 159 women who have been murdered in Ireland since 1996 and raise awareness of the killing of females was launched in NUI, Galway this week.

The NUI, Galway Femicide Awareness Campaign ‘...Because She Was A Woman’ will run for 16 days and is made up of both undergraduate and postgraduate students. It seeks to raise awareness on campus as well as in the wider community of the issue of female killings (femicide) in Ireland and violence against women.

A number of events will take place throughout the campaign, which runs until Thursday December 10. A series of six foot tall, wooden female figures, each carrying a message about violence against women, will be located at 16 places throughout the campus.

‘...Because She Was A Woman’ will also see the launch of Women’s Human Rights, a new publication by Dr Niamh Reilly. On Friday December 4, the students of BA Connect/Women’s Studies will launch their journal Damsel in Room 333 in Aras Moyola.

Leaflets and information about the work of groups like Irish Women's Aid, Cope/Waterside House Refuge, Domestic Violence Response, Galway Rape Crisis Centre, and the Childline Galway Office will also be distributed.

“The campaign aims to be as accessible and inclusive of all in the university population as possible,” a spokeswoman said. “It aims to disseminate practical information and knowledge of local and national support services to the student population, while identifying the potential and demand for further education, workshops, and discussions on campus.”

For further information email becauseshewasawoman@gmail.com or call Aura Lounasmaa on 085 - 3124910.

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