Trigger Warning - Violence Against Women

In the early hours of Sunday morning, my friend, next-door neighbour and the heart of our community, Zara Aleena was brutally murdered by a man in what has been referred to as an 'opportunist stranger attack'. Like so many others, she was just walking home. 

As Zara believed, we SHOULD be able to walk home. The streets SHOULD be safe for us without fear of such atrocities. My parents and so many other parents, not just in London, but all over the world, shouldn't feel like they need to stay away for me and their children until we get home 'just in case', but they do.

Today, someone I was speaking to asked "what did she expect if she was walking home on her own at 2.17am? If she was such a nice girl, why was she out at that time?"

And to that my answer is - Zara and every other woman in this world should be able to enjoy their life in the way they wish, without fear of judgement of character for simply enjoying a night out with friends. And especially without the fear of paying for freedom with their lives. We shouldn't live in a world where people read of Zara Aleena, Sara Everard, Sabina Nessa and so many others and have to sit down and warn their daughters, granddaughters, nieces, cousins, friends, goddaughters about the extent of violence that strangers are capable of unleashing upon them. We must stop violence against women. We must educate. Women need allies in men. 

In memory of Zara, I'm raising money for White Ribbon UK who aim to educate to end male violence against women. On their website below, you can find out more about them and access educational resources:

https://www.whiteribbon.org.uk/

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.