Cosmopolitan beamed a harrowing and poignant image onto the Royal Opera House to coincide with David Cameron’s Girl Summit, in remembrance of the women killed in the name of honour by their own families.
Cosmopolitan’s campaign, in partnership with Karma Nirvana, are dedicated to supporting victims of honour-based violence and forced marriage and pushed the issue to the top of the political agenda during Cameron’s Girl Summit, which took place on the 22nd July.
It tackled the abuse and oppression of women embedded in certain cultures – both at home and abroad – with a focus on female genital mutilation and forced marriage.
An estimated 5,000 women across the world are killed each year for bringing ‘shame’ upon their families; at least 12 of these victims are British, and the true number is thought to be far higher, as many simply ‘disappear’.
Forgetting these women means the perpetrators of these violent and tragic crimes have won
Louise Court, Editor-in-Chief, Cosmopolitan said of the campaign: “Most of us take our freedom for granted, but for thousands of women and girls around the UK, choice is a luxury. When her family kills a woman, often their intention is to wipe her from history – that’s exactly why we believe these women must be remembered. This is why it’s so important that the cause gets the recognition it deserves, and why we have projected such a poignant and arresting visual onto the Royal Opera House.”
Earlier this year Cosmopolitan and Karma Nirvana launched their campaign on the Change.org petition site. Currently, more than 110,000 people have pledged their support for an annual day of memory.
Jasvinder Sanghera CBE, Founder and Chief Executive, Karma Nirvana says: “As the founder of Karma Nirvana, I have seen the true horror of being perceived to have brought ‘shame’ on my family. Thousands of women and men are being abused in the name of honour, and that’s why I am calling on the Home Secretary, Theresa May MP, to speak out and commit to a day of memory for these victims. We need to protect and remember these brave, honourable women and dishonour this abuse. Our petitions have currently gathered more than 110,000 signatures, but ultimately we need the support of the government to make this happen.”
Jasvinder highlighted how the story of Shafilea Ahmed should have been a wakeup call for us to act. Shafilea was brutally murdered when she was 17 by her parents in 2003, in front of her siblings, because she was deemed to have become too ‘westernised’ – for embracing all that Britain stands for; freedom, independence, and democracy. It took nine years for them to be found guilty and sentenced. Cosmo and Karma Nirvana are calling for the day of memory to be held on her birthday, the 14th July.
Calling for a national day of memory for the victims of honour killings, the message projected onto the Royal Opera House was clear; forgetting these women means the perpetrators of these violent and tragic crimes have won.
While honour can bind families together, it can be used to oppress women, for doing things that most of us take for granted. Women are beaten, intimidated, subjected to acid attacks and even murdered by their own parents and siblings, for dressing and behaving in a ‘western’ style, for asking for a divorce and for falling for someone their family doesn’t approve of – all in the name of ‘honour’.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper have already pledged their support. Clegg says: “The fact that British women and young girls are being taken abroad, forced into marriage and left alone to suffer in silence strikes fear into our hearts. Those that break free and try and choose a different path are often left isolated, assaulted or in the most horrific cases, murdered by their own families.”
He adds: “Cosmo and Karma Nirvana deserve huge credit for shining a light on this issue to help give people on the frontline, from teachers to healthcare workers, the confidence to speak out where they suspect abuse is happening and give these women a voice. By remembering past victims, we can show them that they are not alone, giving them vital support to regain control of their lives.”
Cooper agrees that the campaign will “do a lot to make sure people are aware of these terrible crimes“. She says: “Too often the details of these crimes are kept behind closed doors” and states the need for “public outcry and widespread condemnation to make it clear that we do not and never will accept honour-based violence.”
The image was created by ad agency Creature London, following a competition launched on July 9th between three top ad agencies. Alongside the projection, it will be used across print and digital channels as part of the campaign. It was beamed onto the Royal Opera House by Projection Artworks.
James Murray, Client Services Director, Projection Artworks, says: “When approached, we we’re only too pleased to use projection to help raise the profile of such an important cause. It is terrifying to think these horrific acts still exist in the modern world. We truly hope the campaign makes a difference.”
Cosmopolitan’s campaign follows the recent launch of Hearst Empowering Women – a new initiative by Cosmopolitan’s publisher, Hearst Magazines UK - dedicated to capturing the unique spirit of feminism at the heart of Hearst’s world-renowned titles. Launched in association with Theirworld, Sarah Brown’s charity for women and children, the initiative brings together expertise from across Hearst’s portfolio via a practical online resource as well as inspiring talks from powerful and influential women, providing tips for success and offering invaluable advice with the power to change women’s lives.
Sign up to the petition at www.change.org
For more information about the campaign visit: http://www.cosmopolitan.co.uk/lifestyle/big-issue/remember-victims-honour-killings
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