Figures from the Femicide Census show that hundreds of women in the UK are killed by men every year. Many of these murdered women make headlines, like Sarah Everard and Sabina Nessa, along with Nicole Smallman, Bibaa Henry and Zara Aleena. But, there are also those who don't, such as victims of domestic abuse.
It's clear that there is an epidemic of violence against women. But, amid the seemingly constant cycle of difficult news, many of us are left feeling unsure of how best to respond or how to take meaningful action.
As well as attending vigils and protests, sharing information on social media and signing petitions, there are plenty of organisations and charities tirelessly working to end violence against women that you can donate to, if you are in the financial position to do so.
With that in mind, here are just a few of the organisations and charities that you can support in the fight to end violence against women – on International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (25 November) and beyond...
Rosa Fund
Rosa is the only charitable funder dedicated to supporting various grassroots women's and girls' organisations in the UK. It gives "specialist organisations the resources they need to run their services, support their communities, amplify their voices, and bring attention to the issues they care about" – meaning, when you donate, your money is spread across multiple worthy causes.
Everyone's clicking on...
White Ribbon
White Ribbon is the UK's leading charity engaging men and boys to end violence against women and girls.
"Our aim is to prevent violence against women and girls by addressing its root causes," the charity says. "We work with men and boys to change long-established, and harmful, attitudes, systems and behaviours around rigid gender norms and masculinity that perpetuate inequality and violence."
Centre for Women's Justice
The Centre for Women's Justice strives to create a society in which all state institutions work effectively to eradicate male violence against women and girls. The charity's mission is to: "hold the state to account and challenge discrimination in the justice system around male violence against women and girls."
As for how Centre for Women's Justice works towards its mission, the charity: holds the state accountable for failures in the prevention of violence against women and girls; supports individuals and groups who challenge institutions and laws that perpetuate such violence; undertakes strategic litigation and facilitating legal assistance; brings together victims, women's groups, lawyers, academics and other experts in the field of violence against women; monitors and challenges trends in policy, practice and the law which impact on violence against women and girls.
Support Centre for Women's Justice here
Our Streets Now
Our Streets Now, created by sisters Gemma and Maya Tutton, after they were fed up with being catcalled as teenagers, campaigns for safer streets and public places for women, girls and marginalised genders. "Our Streets Now is a national campaign demanding an end to public sexual harassment," the organisation says, "through cultural and legislative change."
On top of pushing for legislative change, Our Streets Now "hopes to raise a generation who are equipped to challenge harassment, oppression and prejudice." The charity's mission is to provide free resources and workshops for UK pupils, as well as campaigning for education policy to "focus on challenging the root causes" of violence against women rather than the "socially-learned behaviours of individuals."
Nia
Since 1975, Nia has run services for women and girls who have been subjected to sexual and domestic violence and abuse, offering community based services in London.
"In the year between April 2022 and March 2023, our incredible all-woman staff team provided one-to-one support to 1,476 women, girls and children subjected to sexual and domestic violence and abuse," the charity says.
End Violence Against Women
EVAW brings together specialist women's support services, researchers, activists, survivors and NGOs, working to end violence against women and girls in all forms. The organisation was founded in 2005, and since then has campaigned for the government to adopt better approaches to ending and preventing violence against women and girls.
Some of its current campaigns include ending online abuse and ending sexual violence and harassment in schools.
Support End Violence Against Women here
Refuge
Refuge is dedicated to supporting women and children who have suffered from abuse, whether that's domestic violence, sexual violence, 'honour' based violence, forced marriage, FGM, human trafficking or modern slavery.
The charity offers a range of specialist services, including temporary accommodation and community outreach, to help survivors access safety and rebuild their lives, as well as providing a free 24-hour national domestic abuse helpline.
Women's Aid
Women's Aid is a national charity working to end domestic abuse against women and children. According to its website, Women's Aid was "founded on women's struggle against patriarchy, sexism and male violence and grew out of the Women's Movement in the 70s and 8os."
In the decades since the charity was established, Women's Aid has helped thousands of women escape abuse. As well as providing over 300 local lifesaving services to women and children suffering abuse, the charity also works with schools, local communities and even football clubs to raise awareness and educate.
Safe Lives
Safe Lives is a UK-wide charity dedicated to ending domestic abuse, it does so by looking at the 'whole picture'.
"To end domestic abuse we believe we must look at the whole picture," the charity says. "The whole of someone's situation and context, the whole family, our communities and wider society. Only this will prevent abuse, stop people from using abuse, keep people safe from harm sooner and support them to move on safely with their lives after abuse has happened."
AVA (Against Violence & Abuse)
Against Violence & Abuse is a feminist organisation working with survivors to end gender based violence and abuse. As well as ensuring survivors can access the support they need when they need it, AVA works to educate children and young people in order to raise a generation against violence and abuse.
