The Zonta Club of Riga, Latvia, marked the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women with an installation “Where is she?”. It took place less than a week before a crucial parliamentary vote on ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention). Latvia signed the convention in 2016, but there had been strong opposition to its ratification. Meanwhile, since 2016, 133 women have been killed by their family members or intimate partners. 

The 133 pairs of orange shoes represented the women who had lost their lives while the politicians postponed ratification of the major convention against domestic violence. The symbolically abandoned shoes were displayed in the alley before the government building. The one-day installation aimed to draw attention to the shocking numbers of violence in Latvia and call for ratification of the Istanbul Convention. 

The event was organized in partnership with the NGO “Sievietei paveicās” (“Lucky her”) and received broad media coverage. It was broadcast on the main TV stations, national radio, major internet news portals, and social media. The good news is that less than a week after the event, the parliament finally ratified the Istanbul Convention.