Jess Phillips, MP for Birmingham and Yardley, delivered a powerful and emotional tribute by reading aloud the names of 107 women murdered by men over the past year. Speaking in the House of Commons during the International Women’s Day debate, Phillips stressed that “words are not enough” to combat the ongoing violence against women and girls.
For over five minutes, the Commons fell silent as Phillips recited the list of femicide victims—women whose lives were tragically cut short by male perpetrators or suspects. This marked the 11th consecutive year that Phillips has drawn attention to femicide in the UK, highlighting the devastating toll of gender-based violence across the country.
The youngest victim on the list was just 17, while the oldest was 93, underscoring that violence against women spans all ages. The names, painstakingly compiled by the Femicide Census, serve as a sobering reminder of the urgent need for meaningful action.
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Phillips expressed hope that these victims “get the justice they deserve” and called on society to honour their memories by working tirelessly to prevent further tragedies. She also paid tribute to women who have lost their lives to abuse-related suicide or unexplained circumstances, pledging to ensure their stories are remembered.
The MP revealed plans to introduce a new, government-backed system to enforce Domestic Homicide Review recommendations nationally. This initiative aims to strengthen accountability and embed vital lessons learned from past cases into future preventative measures.
Outside Parliament, violence against women and girls continues to permeate homes, public spaces, and online environments. Phillips emphasized the scale of the problem as a “national emergency” demanding urgent and sustained government commitment.
As she concluded, Phillips reminded MPs and the nation that each new victim’s name is a reminder of the relentless prevalence of femicide—such as this year’s last entry, Karlie Sone, whose case emerged just as the list was finalized. Her heartfelt reading stands as both a memorial and a call to action to protect women and girls across the UK from harm.