The last 18 months have been like nothing any of us could
have imagined. For most of the duration, daily walks became the highlight of our days. Having moved to Liverpool I was so lucky to have Fran and Vicky as friends and neighbours to share those walks with. We decided to mark the coming to the end of a long lockdown by putting all that walking to good use by taking part in a 50km sponsored walk (seemed like a good idea at the time until I realised that’s A LOT further than our average stroll round the park…).

This lockdown has also given lots of time to think and
reflect about the world we live in. When planning our walks through lockdown there was always a lot of decisions that were made, making sure we walked when it was light, no one had to walk home too far on their own in the dark and in areas we felt most comfortable walking. Many decision we have all made many times over without thinking about it. Decisions we make because we know that it is not always safe for women and vulnerable people to walk outside or be alone. However, us three recognise we hold a great deal of privilege and protective characteristics which makes me think of the many women who feel less safe whether that’s in the parks, streets or in their own home.

Violence against women and girls is recognised as a global
endemic. Centre for Women’s Justice is a charity who recognise this, the structural inequality and oppression that exists in society but also in the justice system, the effect of intersectionality and aim to help women who are survivors of male violence to get better access to legal remedies to defend and enhance their rights. Their work is far reaching, from individual cases to advocating for policy and system change and they involve survivors in all the work they do.

On the 17th of July the 50km challenge will be far from a
walk in the park, but a walk in the park is often far from the easy pleasant walk we might expect for many women around the world.  The photos show our training so far where I learnt I need to carry more than 1 litre of water and I get very tired, grumpy and sore around the 30km mark… wish us luck and send blister plaster recommendations!