Joyce Watson has urged people to stand up against an “epidemic” of violence and abuse towards women.

The Labour MS for Mid and West Wales led and spoke at a series of Welsh events to mark White Ribbon Day (November 25), the international day to end violence towards women and girls.

“I am urging people to stand up against an epidemic of violence and abuse towards women and girls,” said Ms Watson.

“The figures are stark. Harassment, abuse and violence remains a daily occurrence for many women.”

In July, the National Police Chiefs’ Council and College of Policing described violence against women and girls as a “national emergency”.

Welsh police reported more than 45,000 cases of domestic abuse in 2022/23, with many more unrecorded.

The NSPCC found that one in five children has experienced domestic violence, with Childline Cardiff holding 4,000 counselling sessions in the past year.

“Two million women in the UK are victims of male violence every year, and tragically, some pay the ultimate price,” said Ms Watson.

“So far in 2024 at least 73 women and girls have died in the UK at the hands of men, or a man is the main suspect in their death.

“Their ages ranged from eight to 96, and three of them were from Wales.

“They were all much-loved and they leave behind them devastated families and friends.

“Ending violence and abuse requires all of us to take a stand.”

Ms Watson was the keynote speaker at the candlelight service at Llandaff Cathedral. She organised the first White Ribbon interfaith service in 2005 in her previous role, before she became an Assembly Member in 2007.

Upon election she set up the annual vigil at the Welsh Parliament, then in 2012 she began working with the Women’s Institute on the Not in my Name campaign. This raises awareness and recruits male ambassadors to make the White Ribbon promise to “never use, excuse or remain silent about men’s violence against women”.

The Welsh Government’s ‘Sound’ campaign is working with men and boys across Wales, empowering them to stand up against misogyny where they see it. The Sound team discusses healthy relationships, safe spaces for men to ask tough questions and positive masculinity.

The UK Government has set an ambitious target to halve violence against women and girls within the next decade.

White Ribbon Day, also known as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women is on November 25 each year and begins 16 Days of Activism, with further events running through to Human Rights Day on December 10.