Tears of Gold: A Portrait of Pain, Courage and Hope

Confronting the reality of violence against women and girls

In 2023, around 84,900 women were killed worldwide. This represented the highest number of recorded ‘femicides' since 2014. Femicide, the murder of a woman on account of her gender, is the highest form of violence against women. Yet, the definition of gender-based violence also includes other acts of violence.

It is very good to host the incredible exhibition: Tears of Gold: A Portrait of Pain, Courage and Hope at Truro Cathedral and I have found myself so moved and challenged by the real stories of young women abducted & abused and their journey to beginning to address the trauma of the violent abuse that they have been subjected to. 

This exhibition is one I encourage as many people as possible to engage with. It is far from comfortable, or easy to read the stories of, and to stand in front of the self-portraits by Christian women from northern Nigeria who have survived violent persecution. I have found myself needing to take time with each portrait and allow them to confront me. Please consider attending and engaging with the reality of gender-based violence. If you do attend, please take your time listening and looking, learning and praying for a better world.

The Tears of Gold exhibition is on until 2 November and runs alongside the Mars: War and Peace installation at Truro Cathedral.