Marking International Women’s Day, Miss England Grace Richardson joined volunteers and community members in planting 83 trees in remembrance of the 83 women who tragically lost their lives to domestic abuse in the United Kingdom over the past year.

The initiative, organized by UHUMANS in collaboration with The Vayyu Foundation, took place in Glen Parva, Leicester, bringing together students from Leicester University’s Hindu Society, local volunteers and supporters for an afternoon of reflection, unity and action. Each tree planted simbolizes a life lost, serving as a living memorial and a reminder of the ongoing fight to end violence against women.

Domestic abuse remains a serious issue in England and across the UK. According to the Office for National Statistics, an estimated 2.1 million people experienced domestic abuse in England and Wales in the year ending March 2023, the majority of them women. On average, a woman is killed by a current or former partner roughly every five days, highlighting the urgent need for continued awareness, prevention and support for victims.

The tree-planting forms part of the “Save Nature Save Women” campaign, which aims to raise awareness about violence against women while encouraging environmental action. Grace Richardson participated in the activity as part of her Miss World Beauty With a Purpose project, “Every Drop Counts,” a campaign dedicated to water conservation and environmental protection.

The event took place between 1pm and 3pm on Sunday, March 8th, and provided an opportunity for participants to engage in meaningful discussions while working together to nurture the environment and strengthen collective responsibility to prevent domestic violence.

By planting 83 trees, the initiative created a lasting tribute to the women whose lives were lost while reinforcing a commitment from the community to speak out, stand together and work toward a future where women’s physical and mental security are fully respected.

After the conclusion of the activity, Miss England shared: 

“Planting these 83 trees was a powerful moment of reflection and remembrance. Each tree represents a woman or girl whose life was tragically lost to domestic violence. By coming together today, we honor their memory while also sending a clear message that violence against women must end. I hope these trees grow as lasting symbols of hope, awareness, and our collective commitment to protect and support women everywhere.”

83 trees. 83 women remembered.