The last few weeks have been hard on the heart for all of us at Bristol Women’s Voice and for you too, we are sure. The news of Sarah Everard and the police action on Clapham Common re-ignited much of the rage, pain, and grief we feel at the continuation of male violence against women and girls. And while we welcome the renewed focus on these abhorrent crimes, we are angry that Black and minoritized women do not attract the same reporting when they are murdered by men. These women include Amal Abdi and Asiyah Harris who were killed in Bristol. We are horrified that a woman is killed every three days. Still. We are angry about government responses that fail to acknowledge the root causes of male violence and that offer ineffective sticking plasters rather than commit to a sustained in-depth cross-sector program to tackle the misogyny and racism that harms everyone, of all genders. Awe are strengthened by the contact we have with women across Bristol and the partnerships we hold with the amazing women’s organizations and groups in the city. Together we will continue to support each other to fight for the end to male violence against women and girls and women can exercise their rights to be free from harassment and abuse in public spaces, at home, in education, and at work.
We are also strengthened by the number of you who got involved with International Women’s Day events. Thank you to everyone who took the lead on running an incredible array of workshops and to all those that attended. Despite the lockdown restrictions, it was great to connect with you all. If you haven’t left us feedback yet, please do so: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/8RL59ZL We hope to be back bigger and better and in person next year so if you enjoyed the events this year, please consider making a small donation to the International Women’s Day 2022 fund here:
https://www.bristolwomensvoice.org.uk/donate/
A few weeks ago, we told you about our Keep in Contact Project and we are pleased to say this is now up and running. Women from across the City have been trained as Bubble Leaders and they have set up peer support groups – bubbles – of between 3-8 women to provide non-judgemental, supportive spaces (online, at the moment) for women to share information about events, workshops or news and access resources you might find helpful or supportive. If you’d like to be a member of a Keep in Contact Bubble or would like more information, please email us at info@bristolwomensvoice.org.uk That’s it from us this month. In sisterhood, The BWV Team | 
