Little did I realise back in early 2001 when I started this project that it would turn into something as big as this. I naively thought 365 posters.. no problem.. easily got.. great show and we will all go home after viewing it. However, it was not as easy as that, countless hours on the internet, thousands of emails, letters by snail mail to all corners of the world convincing people and organisations that this was a genuine project.

In waiting for the posters to arrive, I would anticipate the impact that the message of the posters would convey and more importantly, thinking how would others view them. Well, the blood, sweat and tears has paid off and although expressing a biased view, the end product is a wonderful, amazing and unique exhibition.

On a more serious note, this is a very important exhibition because it embraces individuals, agencies and organisations from 58 countries around the world in each continent. These countries have a combined population total of approx 5.3 billion people. This exhibition was important enough for: Paaras Abbas - a young award winning artist from Pakistan, only 11 years old, drawing a poster especially for this exhibition,

Beata Pozniak - a renowned actress, painter and sculptress from the USA to send over an exclusive print of her work. She was one of the movers behind getting the 8^th March established as International Women’s Day.

Tanya Brown – sister of murdered Nicole Brown Simpson - who so kindly got in touch with me over 18 months ago. She was so supportive of the exhibition concept that she offered her assistance. I was so proud when she agreed to do the foreword for the front of the exhibition brochure.

These people are typically representative of tremendous individuals, organisations and agencies who have donated and continue to donate posters for inclusion in the exhibition.

So what is the message that this exhibition is trying to get across? It is very simple, in the world today;

  ● USA every 9 seconds a woman is physically abused

  ● UK every 20 seconds a woman is the victim of domestic violence, with 2 women killed per week

  ● Sweden & France 52 women killed per year as a result of domestic violence

  ● Egypt 35% women reported being beaten by their husband during marriage

  ● Korea 38% women reported being physically abused

  ● Chile 26% women report at least one episode of violence by their partner

  ● Russia 14,000 women killed per year as a result of domestic violence

  ● Ireland… 108 women murdered since 1996

  ● 1 in 5 women will experience a sexual assault..

  ● 1 in 5 women are the victims of physical abuse by their husband or partner

This statistics are merely a snapshot of the reality of the global problem of violence against women. Quiet simply, violence against women is an issue that needs to be constantly raised and I hope that through this exhibition that a greater awareness is created. I sincerely hope that as it travels around Ireland or further a field internationally, that people will be moved by it to do something to support victims of abuse.

This exhibition is not nor has it ever been a campaign against men. It should not be interpreted that it is only men that are perpetrators of violence. This is not the case and as Coordinator of the “ Violence against Women 365 International Poster Exhibition “Ô , I have fully acknowledged and have stated publicly on many occasions that there are male victims of violence. Simply, no one deserved to be abused and that is regardless of gender.

I am delighted to be able to announce through this website to introduce two new initiatives within the exhibition. The new initiatives are:

Remember me, Remember my name…

Global statistics

1. Global Poster,

2. Continent or Regional Poster,

3. Ireland & UK Poster

Individuals, organisations and agencies from all over the world are now invited to submit names of women whom have murdered or statistics on the prescribed form found in this website.

In conclusion, there continues to be many women & children living within abusive situations or enduring the trauma of sexual violence. I hope that through this exhibition and this web-site, I have given a voice to those women and children who continue to suffer in silence.

A final thought…

In friendship and peace…