Jess Phillips: Every Woman Killed by a Man is a Symbol of Society's Collective Failure
Minister Jess Phillips has written exclusively about the overwhelming emotional weight she experiences when reading the list of women killed by men in the past year during a parliamentary session. The Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley describes this annual ritual as stripping away the ceremonial nature of her job to expose a dark reality.
The Hardest Day of the Year
There are moments in parliamentary work that feel purely ceremonial, routine, and procedural. However, when Phillips takes to the dispatch box to read the names of every woman suspected of being killed by a man over the previous twelve months, all ceremony vanishes. This day never becomes easier, she emphasises, as each name represents a profound societal failure.
Reading these names annually exposes the harsh reality that women across the United Kingdom and globally confront daily. Phillips is struck by the immense responsibility she holds in honouring these women through this solemn act. Each name symbolises the collective failure of Parliament, institutions, and society to adequately protect women from harm and violence.
International Women's Day Context
Phillips stands up not merely as a Minister or MP, but as one of a record 265 women MPs marking International Women's Day. She acknowledges the incredible social, cultural, academic, and political achievements of women worldwide. Yet, she deliberately chooses this day for the reading to ensure that celebration does not overshadow the lived experiences of many women.
This is a reality that many would prefer remained hidden, Phillips notes. Simply congratulating ourselves while women are being murdered does not constitute genuine progress; it amounts to nothing more than a hollow performance. The moment holds deep significance for her, offering a chance to honour lives tragically cut short and reflecting on national priorities regarding safety.
A Moment Belonging to Women
Phillips insists this moment does not belong to her. It belongs to the women whose names are read and to all women and girls living under constant threats of abuse, harassment, and violence, often paying with their lives. She describes it as the hardest day of her year, with her voice catching, tears held back, and the emotional weight feeling overwhelming.
Despite the discomfort and heaviness, she vows to continue honouring women in this manner. The fight must persist until women and girls feel safe in their homes, on streets, and in workplaces. The government is deploying the full power of the state to halve violence against women and girls within a decade, framing this not as mere policy but as a critical lifeline.
Commitment to Change
Placing the protection of women and girls at the heart of all governmental actions is presented as the true way to honour these victims. Phillips pledges to do whatever it takes to make the country safe for women and girls, emphasising that this commitment extends beyond symbolic acts to substantive, life-saving measures.
