The Queen Consort calls for an end to the “heinous crime” of violence against women in her first major speech

The three queens, the princess and the countess joined forces on Tuesday to call on K end the “heinous crime” of violence against women.

In a royal show of force at Buckingham Palace, the Queen Consort gave her first major speech in her new role, urging guests to seize the “precious opportunity to speak out and inspire action”. stopping rape and domestic violence.

For drinks reception in the palace picture gallerythe queen attendant outlined her hopes for a future free of gender-based violence.

The reception, held as part of the UN’s “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence”, included around 300 guests – campaigners, politicians and celebrity ambassadors – to draw attention to the current crisis.

Among the guests of honor was Olena Zelenska, the First Lady of Ukraine, who was there to raise awareness about the scourge of sexual violence in conflict. She said that women and girls were raped at the hands of invading Russian soldiers.

The Queen Consort has made domestic violence one of her key campaign themes since joining the Royal Family and has chosen the theme the first major speech since Queen Elizabeth’s death.

“We refuse to be desensitized by cold facts”

“Today we come together to confront what is rightly called the global pandemic of violence against women,” she said.

“When faced with challenges like these, it’s hard to know what practical steps we can take to even begin to make a difference.

“Over the years, in my previous role, I have had the privilege of meeting many victims of rape and domestic violence and sharing the grief of people who have lost family members to violence.

“And I’ve heard over and over again that the two most powerful ways to help are to remember and to listen.”

Listing a small selection of women killed by “a stranger or the person who should have loved them the most,” she said: “We refuse to be insensitive to the cold facts and figures and are determined to preserve the names and memories of these women live.”

“There is life after abuse”

She continued: “What I’ve learned from talking to these brave survivors is that what they want above all is to be listened to and believed in order to prevent the same thing from happening to others.

“They know that there is power in their stories and that in the process of telling them, they are transformed from victims of their history to authors of their own future.

“I’ve heard countless examples of ways victims have emerged victorious, using their experiences to reach out to help others escape abuse.”

Addressing the women and a handful of gentlemen who had gathered for drinks and canapés, the Queen told them: “Your vital work is … proof that there is life after abuse.

“You are also proof that we can have hope as we move toward our goal of ending violence against women and girls.

“Armed with this hope, let’s keep going. Let us not lose this precious opportunity to speak out and encourage action that will end these heinous crimes forever.

“With determination and courage we will succeed. Thank you.”