Hundreds Join Penzance Solidarity Walk to Highlight Gender-Based Violence

Night Walk and Vigil Draws Attention to Violence Against Women and Girls

On Monday, 25th November, over 200 people gathered in Penzance for the fourth annual Solidarity Walk and Vigil to raise awareness of violence against women and girls. The event marked White Ribbon Day and the start of the global ’16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence’ campaign.

The walk, supported by £3,000 in grant funding from Penzance Council, began at Wherrytown car park at 5.30pm. Participants braved the chilly November evening to walk along Penzance promenade, pausing at Jubilee Pool for speeches before concluding at St Mary’s Church on Chapel Street, where a candlelit vigil was held.

Tribute and Performances at St Mary’s Church

During the vigil, the names of women who have lost their lives due to male violence were read aloud, offering a poignant reminder of the event’s purpose. The Fox Rox Choir and the Big Dance Company delivered moving performances, adding to the solemnity of the occasion.

To coincide with the walk, St Michael’s Mount was illuminated in the Suffragette colours of purple and green, symbolising solidarity and support.

Community Support and Call for Change

The event saw strong support from local firefighters, police, and the Mayor of Penzance, Stephen Reynolds. Stephen addressed the crowd, saying:
“At a time when our daily news carries way too many reports of violence against women and girls, it’s heartening to see so many local folk being prepared to come out on a chilly, blustery November evening to show their solidarity with victims and survivors, and to shine a light on this issue. It’s such a shame we still need to do this, but I’m so glad that as a community we are prepared to come together and be a beacon of hope for a kinder, fairer world.”

Councillor Thalia Marrington highlighted the importance of events like the Solidarity Walk in breaking cycles of abuse and fostering a safer society. She said:
“The more we shine a light on the issue of Violence against Women rather than shying away from it, quite simply, the less space there is for perpetrators to operate in… If we can stop these cycles of abuse, help people realise what is abuse, coercive control, gaslighting etc, we can hopefully save more women’s lives.”

Lizzie Matthews, CEO of West Cornwall Women’s Aid, echoed this sentiment, stating:
“This is the fourth consecutive year that our community has gathered together to highlight the battle to end violence against women and girls. At our solidarity walk and vigil we remember those women whose lives have been taken. We call for justice, for everyone to join together to create a safer and more equitable world and to make Cornwall a safer place for all women and girls.”

The Penzance Solidarity Walk serves as a reminder of the work needed to end gender-based violence and the power of community in driving awareness and action.