Public urged to join countrywide walkout highlighting violence against women

A group of locals in Waterford are calling on people across the country to take 15 minutes out of their day next week and “walk out” in a show of solidarity against violence towards women. Stock photo. 

A group of locals in Waterford are calling on people across the country to take 15 minutes out of their day next week and “walk out” in a show of solidarity against violence towards women.

The ‘Walk Out for Women’ campaign is being organised following a number of cases of violence against women.

It takes place on Wednesday, September 30 at 11am.

Monica Murphy, from Knockanore, said the group has received support from organisations and campaigners across the country, including Stop Domestic Violence in Ireland.

“We are organising the event to mark the number of women who have been murdered this year.

“One woman died in Waterford and we have been talking about what we can do” she told the Irish Examiner.

“We are sick of the headlines, the coercive control, the financial abuse, and we have to do something.

“It is time women are given the space to stand up for themselves.” 

Ms Murphy said the campaign began after she was invited to speak about violence against women on WLR FM in Waterford.

“We don’t have a legitimate organisation; we are regular citizens. I was asked to speak on WLR FM in Waterford, and I felt we need to do more,” she said.

“There are so many crimes against women. I got a few calls from people saying we need to do something.

They decided that the campaign should be accessible to as many people as possible and could be carried out from wherever people happen to be.

'Starting the conversation right across the county'

“We said we can do it from anywhere and mark the occasion to coincide with a tea break. It is not unlawful. It is about starting the conversation right across the county” Ms Murphy said.

She said the timing and format were deliberately chosen to make it easier for people who may not be able to attend a traditional protest or public event.

“A lot of the time women can’t go to an event. They have to be at home for the school bus, minding children or animals or older adults,” she said.

“So we wanted it to be really accessible, where they can stand with women or men and start the conversation.” 

She also has stressed that the campaign is not directed against men or migrants.

“We are not anti-men, we have three men in our group and we are not anti-immigrants. We just need to start taking it seriously as a country,” Ms Murphy said.

The organisers are also calling for a more coordinated approach to tackling crimes against women, including how cases are dealt with through the justice system.

“We need better joined-up thinking about crimes against women and how crimes are processed,” Ms Murphy said.

“We need a collective response, from schools to sports clubs and our workplaces, and to expect the Government to do more around this.” 

The organisers say that while 15 minutes may seem insignificant, collective action can send a strong message.

- If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please click here for a list of support services.