In March 2021, the All-Party Parliamentary Group for UN Women published a report on the prevalence and reporting of sexual harassment in UK public spaces. It found that
97% of women aged 18-24 in the UK experience sexual harassment.
At the same time, Solace Women's Aid is overwhelmed as a result of an increase in violence against women during the Covid lockdowns.
97 Ensemble is a campaign to raise awareness of the prevalence of sexual harassment in the UK. We work with Solace Women's Aid by giving performances at their women and children's shelters and we fundraise for them in our public concerts. In April 2025 we had the honour of performing at the Houses of Parliament for Solace's 50th Anniversary.
Our public concerts tell stories of women, by women. Previous highlights include a book launch concert with Dr Leah Broad for 'Quartet: How Four Women Changed the Musical World' and a sold-out concert at Fidelio Cafe of works by Iranian female composers, marking one year of the 'Woman, Life, Freedom' movement in Iran.
