A one-minute silence will take place at the Scottish Parliament today to remember the women who have been killed by men this year.

 The silence will mark the 30th anniversary of a global campaign against gender-based violence.

At 11.30 across the Parliament there will be silence to mark the start of the United Nation’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.

There will be a debate int eh afternoon on eliminating violence against women and girls, led by Social Justice Secretary, Shona Robison.

The Scottish Government is launching a marketing campaign today to encourage survivors of domestic abuse to seek support.

Robison said: “Today the Scottish Parliament is coming together to clearly and unequivocally condemn violence against women in Scotland and around the world, and to mourn the deaths of women globally. 

“This year we particularly have in mind the tragic cases of Sabina Nessa, Sarah Everard, Nicole Smallman and Bibaa Henry, which have shone a spotlight on the violence that many women face.

“But the awful truth is there are many more murders that do not get the same level of attention – the latest UN figures show that around 87,000 women around the world were killed by men in 2017 alone.

“Violence against women and girls is underpinned by inequality and the attitudes and structural barriers that perpetuate it.”