Upon being asked to consider writing a blog for International Women’s Day, I immediately thought of those whose unfair and tragic circumstances have led to positive changes in the law. While some of these women sadly met their demise, and this was what sparked the movement, they should not be forgotten.

Clare Wood

Clare Wood was a 36-year-old woman who was murdered by her ex-partner in 2009. Due to a loophole in the law, her ex-partner was able to conceal his history of violence against women. Clare’s father successfully campaigned for a change in the law so that any person has the right to ask the Police to confirm if their partner’s criminal history, where they believe they might be at risk. This is now known as Clare’s Law.

Sarah Payne

Sarah was an 8-year-old little girl who was abducted and murdered in 2000 while she was playing outside. The murderer was later found to have already served time in prison for abducting and sexually assaulting another little girl.

Sarah’s parents, with significant public backing, campaigned for a change in the law so that parents with young children can ask the police to confirm if a person who has access to their child poses a risk to their child or has a criminal record for child sex offenses. This is now known as Sarah’s Law.

Kiranjit Ahluwalia

After enduring years of violent and harrowing abuse, Kiranjit Ahluwalia set fire to her husband's feet, resulting in his death. She claimed she did not intend to kill him. Initially convicted of murder, a retrial led to her plea of manslaughter being accepted, considering her diminished responsibility due to the abuse. This was the first case in England to recognise 'battered wife syndrome' and distinguished her from a ‘cold-blooded killer.’ Her case was pivotal in changing how domestic abuse and its effects on victims are perceived in the legal system.

Tini Owens

While not quite as harrowing as the above, I would be remiss as a Family Lawyer if I didn’t credit Mrs. Owens, who was forced to remain married to her husband after her divorce petition was rejected. The Judge considered the behaviour she alleged was not ‘bad enough’ for the Court to approve an unreasonable behaviour divorce petition. This case started the movement for the change in law that ultimately led to unreasonable behaviour and the other facts of divorce being dismissed, and ‘no-fault’ divorce coming into force, providing a much more resolution-based outlook on divorce proceedings in England and Wales.