Brighton women have told of their hopes that a quilt featuring the names of almost 600 women killed at the hands of their partners or ex-partners which they helped create will raise awareness of violence against women.
Local Labour councillors Emma H Daniel and Julie Cattell joined Sue Teddern, Frances Bill and Ali Ceesay to make squares for the quilt, which was presented at the House of Commons yesterday, on International Women’s Day.
Frances, who travelled to London for the presentation, said: “I took part for a number of reasons. Firstly, I wanted to provide some sort of memorial to these women who have died in tragic circumstances.
“Secondly, I used to do a lot of Patchwork and wanted to do a bit of creative work. ( a bit selfish but true).
“Finally, I’m hoping that The Women’s Quilt will draw attention to the way that women are being killed, week after week and year after year, and very few people seem to know about it.
“It was so moving going up to the House of Commons meeting a host of Labour women MPs, who are so committed to reducing violence against women.
“In particular Seema Malhotra who had a special responsibility in Ed Milliband’s shadow cabinet for reducing violence against women. Also Jess Phillips whose previous career was working in women’s refuges in Birmingham.
“The aspect that was most heartening was meeting the other women taking part. This was not a slick event. The organisers who had worked so hard to stitch the patches together drove down from Nottingham with the quilt in a wheel suitcase.”
Cllr Daniel said: “I took part because I wanted to remember the women behind the statistics and do a little act of care for their memory. Working with other women locally and nationally has been really special. I look forward to hosting the quilt in the city as soon as we can.”
