The Malta Independent on Sunday
Not one more
A demonstration against femicide was held in Valletta yesterday morning. Demonstrators carried placards with the names of the 32 women who were killed by their partners or relatives in the last 20 years. The participants, some of whom sporting symbolic blood-stained necks, chanted “Not one more,” and “justice now”, as they walked down Republic Street before stopping in front of the law courts.
A demonstration against domestic violence was held in Valletta yesterday morning.
Women carrying placards with the names of women who were killed in their own homes were at the front of the group, which also included President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, Deputy Speaker Claudette Buttigieg and representatives of both Partit Demokratiku and Alternattiva Demokratika.
The women had red spray painted on their faces and hands, symbolising blood, and called for better protection of women. The demonstrators met at City Gate and walked down Republic Street towards St George’s Square when they placed the placards containing the names of the victims on the ground along with messages against domestic violence and femicide.
Four women were killed in domestic violence incidents this year.
32 women and girls killed in the last 20 years by their partners, children and other relatives.
“These are 32 murdered women. There are many more suffering. We all, as a country, need to pull up our socks,” said Lara Dimitrijevic, chairperson of the Women’s Rights Foundation.
The march against femicide was spearheaded by the Women’s Rights Foundation and supported by a number of NGOs, including Graffitti and Soar.
The march was called in the wake of the murder of 35-yearold Lourdes Agius. The mother of six was found strangled in her Paola home on 15 September. Her partner, a 25-year-old Ivorian man has been charged with the murder. The couple had a history of domestic violence.