Speak out against the casual sexism and misogyny that spawns violence against women and girls

In memory of Elianne Andam, killed in cold blood on Wednesday 27 September 2023

Screenshot from BBC News online

What drives a teenage boy to pull out a foot-long "zombie” knife and stab a girl in the chest and neck, killing her in cold blood as she got off a bus with her friend? What demons lurked in the mind of the 17-year-old boy charged with the murder of Elianne Andam (15) earlier this week? What hatred filled his heart? Why? Why? Why?

I can’t look at newspaper images of a smiling Elianne without shuddering. In a statement, her family described her as the light of their lives.

“She was bright and funny, with many friends who all adored her.

“She was only 15, and had her whole life ahead of her, with hopes and dreams for the future.

“All those dreams have now been shattered. Our lives have fallen apart, along with that of our wider family.”

Their words are heart-breaking.