The #WomensSafetyPledge commits candidates if elected to do all in their power to ensure:
- Services are protected for women who need them – whether or not they report abuse to the police
- Schools are safe 4 girls – good sex & relationships education and teacher training
- Safety in public spaces as well as in the home – tackling sexual harassment and any unsafe ‘no go areas’ for women and girls
- Strategy to end and prevent abuse before it happens – is the best way to bring all these measures together
Caroline Russell, local election candidate for Highbury East ward, said: “On behalf of Islington Greens, I am happy to commit to the #WomensSafetyPledge. Any elected Green Councillors in islington will champion womens’ safety and well-being. Just today I was at the Islington Voluntary Action hustings event, where the issue of Female Genital Mutilation was raised. The pledge proposes coherent strategies to tackle the safety of women and girls and Islington Greens sign up to it wholeheartedly.”
European election candidate and Islington Green, Caroline Allen, added: “If elected I commit to continuing the great work of elected Greens in the European Parliament on equality and gender issues.”
The national group of more than 60 women’s organisations includes many domestic violence refuges, Rape Crisis helplines and BME women’s organisations who have been hit hard by the ‘austerity cuts’ Their wide network of supporters are targeting election candidates and keeping a tally of those who take the pledge in order that local services and activists can go back to those elected after 22 May and discuss how their commitment will be implemented.
See more at: http://www.endviolenceagainstwomen.org.uk/news/149/evaw-launches-local-elections-campaign#sthash.r09k90tb.dpuf