International Womens Month – Celebrating the Women of H&F, Sharon Tomlin, Sobus Community Organiser

“International Women’s Day (IWD) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. Significant activity is witnessed worldwide as groups come together to celebrate women’s achievements or rally for women’s equality”

International Womens Day – https://www.internationalwomensday.com/About

I have had the pleasure of working with phenomenal women who live, work and operate in Hammersmith and Fulham who go the extra mile to support residents who volunteer and work in organisations in this borough. These are colleagues from across the borough who work hard to strive for gender equity in the spaces they operate in.

Based on the listenings (dialogue) that I have had the privilege to conduct with women (workers, volunteers and residents) in the borough, I have found that many aspects of the service and work being delivered aim to address gender equity by developing and sustaining good practices, whilst being aware of the complex behavioural and societal challenges residents face.

As we get ready to attend and participate in activities organised in Hammersmith and Fulham, I wish to take this time to mention the immense body of work and service delivered by women colleagues from across the sectors in the borough.

The range in areas of work and service delivered by colleagues many of whom I have worked with directly or groups that I have supported the development of aim to address gender equity include:

  • Activism of women’s health such female genital mutilation
  • Raising awareness and hosting discussions on gender- based abuse and violence
  • Domestic abuse and violence against women and girls
  • Addressing harassment and “being believed” in matters of physical and emotional intrusion into the homes particularly of single women
  • Mothers of children involved in the justice system
  • Addressing digital poverty
  • Developing the discussions around menopause
  • Isolation and loneliness of mothers and teenage girls
  • Female led local grassroots sports voluntary groups
  • Addressing child care costs
  • Youth Justice leadership
  • Day to day challenges of unpaid carers
  • Inspire women and girls into science, technology, engineering and mathematics
  • Creating informal groups that address particular areas of interest, issue and or concerns

I wish to thank our women colleagues of Hammersmith and Fulham for the transformational work they do that include:

  • Residents
  • Volunteers
  • Voluntary Organisations
  • Community Groups
  • Local Authority
  • Health Authority

List of some events planned for March 2023 and beyond:

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