Championing Women and Girls in the Midlands!

Almost four months since our inspiring International Women’s Day Celebration in March 2024, our call to action remains strong. At that event, we brought together remarkable female leaders from across the Midlands to spotlight the incredible work of local organisations such as Black Country Women’s Aid, SheBeasts, and Saathi House. These groups are dedicated to creating a fairer, happier, and healthier Midlands for all women and girls. Highlighting these organisations was just the beginning.

Watch this video to discover more about these incredible organisations:

We are excited to carry our mission forward by launching the West Midlands Women and Girls Fund. This fund is dedicated to supporting the unique and diverse issues faced by female communities in our region. From lack of access to sports, domestic violence, income inequality, reproductive rights, to mental health and self-esteem challenges – the needs of women and girls are multifaceted and often overlooked.

The Importance of the Fund

Women and girls across the UK and the West Midlands face significant challenges:

• Domestic Violence: One in four women in the UK will experience domestic violence in their lifetime. In the West Midlands, police recorded over 32,000 domestic abuse-related crimes in 2022.
• Income Inequality: Women in the West Midlands earn on average 18% less than men. This pay gap contributes to long-term financial instability and limits economic opportunities.
• Mental Health: Approximately one in five women experience a common mental health issue like anxiety or depression. Young women, in particular, are at high risk, with 26% of girls aged 17-19 reporting mental health struggles.
• Reproductive Rights: Access to reproductive healthcare remains inconsistent, with many women facing long waits and limited support.
• Sports and Recreation: Only 43% of women in the UK regularly participate in sports compared to 63% of men, reflecting barriers in access and encouragement.

The Women and Girls Fund is a critical step towards addressing these challenges. By providing dedicated funding, we can support local charities, social enterprises and initiatives that work with women to:

• Improve access to sports and recreation.

• Tackle domestic violence and ensure community safety.

• Address income inequality and create economic opportunities through training, work, and volunteering.

• Support reproductive rights, sex education, and access to healthcare and health products.

• Promote positive mental health and self-esteem.

Our goal is to raise £100,000, with donations matched up to £50,000 to maximise impact. This fund is not just about addressing problems after they occur but building respectful and safe communities for women from the start. 

We invite you to join us this campaign with us. Your donations will be doubled, amplifying their impact. You can also become an ambassador or champion for the fund by sharing information about our work within your networks, participating in future events and initiatives, and helping us connect with others who share our mission.

Together, we can make the Midlands a fairer, happier, and healthier place for all women and girls. Your support can spark the change we all wish to see. Don't miss this opportunity to be part of something truly special. Let’s turn our words into actions and create meaningful change across our region.

Main Photo: Richard Nelmes, Inpress Images