104 Pairs of Shoes Exhibition
In 2002 YWCA Scotland launched a campaign to highlight the continuing problem of violence against women. Taking as its starting point the fact that two women a week are murdered in the U.K. by their partners, a group of volunteers came up with the idea of an exhibition featuring 104 pairs of shoes, to give a visual representation of the lives that are needlessly being lost every year. 104 women, from celebrities such as J.K. Rowling and Annie Lennox to athletes, politicians and entrepreneurs, donated their shoes to the campaign.
This year, YWCA Scotland will be updating the campaign and exhibition to keep it fresh and relevant. They want to reach new audiences not only to raise awareness, but to encourage all people to take a stand against relationship violence within communities across Scotland.
This is where they need your help. They would like to have shoes in the exhibition that represent a broad range of women in Scotland, to demonstrate that women of all ages, backgrounds, cultures, faiths, ethnicities, abilities and sexualities can experience domestic abuse. They will welcome donations from women whether or not they have experienced domestic abuse themselves.
Donated shoes would be displayed alongside a photograph and a comment or statement from the donor. Women who would like to offer their personal experience can do so and remain anonymous if they wish.
If you have a pair of shoes you would be willing to donate to this important campaign please let YWCA Scotland know of your interest by telephoning 0131 5588000 or email laura@ywcascotland.org.
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