Mayo Lilies ceremony remembers women who have died through male violence

MEMBERS of the community gathered in Westport for a Lilies Remembrance Ceremony to mark the end of the International 16 Days of Activism against Domestic, Sexual, and Gender-Based Violence.

Hosted by Westport Family and Community Resource Centre, people came together and read the names of the 278 women who have died as a result of male violence in Ireland since 1996.

Lilies were thrown into the Carrowbeg River to remember, reflect and stand in solidarity with the families, friends and communities of women and children murdered and with those currently living with abuse.

Organisers were heartened to see so many of the community turn out for the simple but profound ceremony.

They said: 'Every day 137 women across the world are killed by a partner or member of their own family. Every year we are heartbroken to add more names to the list of the women murdered here in Ireland.

'As a community we must be very clear that abuse and coercive control are unacceptable and will not be tolerated. We all have a part to play in making our homes, families and communities places that are safe for women to speak out, ask for help and to feel supported.'

If you or someone you know needs help or support, please contact Safe Ireland Mayo on (094) 9027519 or Women's Aid 24 hour free phone helpline on 1800 341900.

Westport FRC are proud members of the Community Response to Domestic Abuse Network Western Region, a collaborative group of Family Resource Centres, frontline organisations and partnership companies across Galway, Mayo and Roscommon.