A new garden at Newcastle Civic Centre commemorates women lost to violence
1,500 snowdrop bulbs mark White Ribbon Day
An avenue of snowdrop flowers has been planted at Newcastle Civic Centre to honour women who have died due to gender-based violence.
The planting took place in the quadrangle by the steps over the water feature, with 1,500 bulbs symbolising the passage from life to death. Newcastle City Council’s cabinet member for children and families, Cllr Lesley Storey, was joined by domestic abuse and women’s support representatives in marking the occasion.
The initiative coincides with White Ribbon Day, which falls yearly on 25th November. This year’s theme, “We Speak Up,” encourages individuals not to let sexism slide – from comments and catcalling to jokes – in an effort to prevent culture that leads to violence.
Cllr Storey spoke on the significance of honouring women affected by violence.
“There are too many women in this country whose lives have been stolen from them because of violence,” Cllr Storey said.
“Two to three women are killed every day in this country - and behind that statistic there are daughters, sisters, mothers, and friends, all with names, faces, families, and futures, now lost.
“I want us to remember them, their hopes and their dreams.”
The council has had White Ribbon UK accreditation since 2021, reflecting its commitment to tackling violence against women and girls. White Ribbon UK is part of a global campaign encouraging men and boys to pledge to “never commit, never excuse, and never stay silent about abuse.”
Cllr Storey also called for greater awareness and action against gender-based violence.
“For too long, far too many people have seen gender-based violence as something that happens somewhere else, but we know that it can happen anywhere,” Cllr Storey said.
“One in three women in the UK experiences domestic abuse, over 80 per cent of women have been harassed in public and more than 20 per cent of women over 16 have experienced some type of sexual assault.
“We know that many men would never do it and want men and boys to feel comfortable being themselves and not be pressured to adopt narrow definitions of masculinity.
“But together we must all speak up and play our part in ending this stain on our society.”
For more information about White Ribbon in Newcastle and to make the pledge, visit www.newcastle.gov.uk/white-ribbon .