Nationwide Minute’s Silence in Memory of Women murdered in Ireland takes place on International Day

national | crime and justice | news report Thursday November 25, 2004 14:50 by Women's Aid - Women's Aid comms at womensaid dot ie Everton House, 47 Old Cabra Road, Dublin 7 018684721

107 Women Murdered in 108 Months: Women's Aid Report

Today, to mark International Day Against Violence against Women, Women's Aid is holding a minute’s silence outside the Dail in memory of the 107 women murdered in Ireland in the last 108 months. While groups nationwide are holding vigils locally around the country, Women’s Aid is marking the commemoration of the murders against the backdrop of a giant ‘In Memoriam’ card outside the Dáil, with each murdered woman represented by a white lily.

Nationwide Minute’s Silence in Memory of Women murdered in Ireland takes place on International Day Against Violence Against Women

- 107 Women Murdered in 108 Months: Women's Aid Report
- Violence against Women Services Still Operating on 2002 Funding Levels


Today, Thursday 25th November, to mark International Day Against Violence against Women, Women's Aid is holding a minute’s silence outside the Dail in memory of the 107 women murdered in Ireland in the last 108 months. While groups nationwide are holding vigils locally around the country, Women’s Aid is marking the commemoration of the murders against the backdrop of a giant ‘In Memoriam’ card outside the Dáil, with each murdered woman represented by a white lily.

Speaking outside the Dail, Margaret Martin, Director of Women's Aid, said:
“There have been 107 women murdered in 108 months, more than 80% of them by a man known to them and almost half of them by a current or former partner. The seriousness of the levels of violence against women in Ireland today and the failure of the system to keep women safe cannot be over-emphasised, and the tragic reality is that women are paying the ultimate price of their lives. ”

She continued: “Many people would like to believe that this issue has been dealt with – this is clearly not the case. Current services to women experiencing violence have received no increase in funding since 2002, despite the high rise in running costs, resulting in the cutting back of services year on year. The political will to take this issue seriously must be translated into adequate funding in this year’s budget. However, despite the clear need, there is no indication of any increase in the estimates.”



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A recent survey reveals that frontline services dedicated to violence against women are all experiencing funding difficulties with many having to cut back services as a result. According to Ms Martin: “This cutback in funding comes at a time when more
and more women are attempting to access services. Despite an increase in the number of calls responded to by the Women's Aid National Freephone Helpline in 2003, there was also a 52% increase in the number of calls that could not be answered due to lack of resources. ”

Women's Aid is a voluntary organisation, which provides information, support and advocates on behalf of women experiencing violence in their own homes. Women's Aid operates a 12-hour, 7-day National Freephone Helpline Service.

International Day Against Violence Against Women is the first day of the Global 16 Days of Action Against Violence against Women campaign, which ends on December 10th, International Human Rights Day.