Seven specialist women’s organisations will receive grants from The Justice and Equality Fund to strengthen their communications activities over the next 18 months, and to create a network of women’s organisations who will work together to shift the dial on public conversations about sexual harassment and abuse in the UK.
The Justice and Equality Fund, managed by Rosa and supported by TIME’S UP UK works to tackle the culture of impunity that has existed in communities for too long. This tranche of grants from the JEF crowdfunding campaign will focus on strategic communications, and the network of women’s organisations will work to develop innovative approaches to shifting public perceptions of sexual harassment in the UK.
Agenda
Agenda is an alliance of trusts, foundations and voluntary sector organisations which promotes public understanding of women and girls at risk from poverty, inequality and violence. The grant will enable Agenda to hire a Senior Communications & Campaigns Officer, ensuring the voices of the most disadvantaged women are part of the conversation on harassment and abuse.
Centre for Women’s Justice
The Centre for Women’s Justice brings together specialist lawyers, academics and other experts in the field of violence against women, with those working on the front line as activists, survivors and service providers. Its aim is to bring strategic law challenges and ensure access to justice for victims of male violence. The funding will enable CWJ’s Founding Director to directly participate in the communications network, work with other women’s organisations and to work with a specialist communications agency.
Imkaan
A London based black and minority ethnic women’s organization, Imkaan is dedicated to addressing violence against women and girls. Since its inception it has worked in partnership with women’s organisations across the country to improve UK national and regional policy and practice responses to violence against BME women and girls. The grant will partially support a new Policy & Communications Coordinator, to lead on the design and delivery of Imkaan’s communications output across traditional and digital media.
Rape Crisis Scotland
Rape Crisis Scotland is a well-established umbrella organisation for Rape Crisis Centres across Scotland, supporting survivors of sexual violence. It runs a national, daily helpline for survivors of sexual violence, offering initial support and access to a wide range of information resources. With its grant, the organisation will fund a Press and Campaigns Officer who will work two days a week to support RCS’s sexual harassment campaign.
Rights of Women
Rights of Women works to increase women’s understanding of their legal rights and improve their access to justice, so they can live free from abuse and oppression and are able to make informed choices about their safety. The funding will enable a Communications Officer to support the communications network which will help shift the public narrative around sexual harassment.
Welsh Women’s Aid
As the national umbrella body in Wales, Welsh Women’s Aid works to end domestic and sexual abuse and all forms of gender-based violence. The organisation will work alongside a specialist communications agency and other women’s organisations to develop the strategic communications network.
Women for Refugee Women
London-based Women for Refugee Women supports women seeking asylum in the UK and challenges the injustices that they face. The funding will enable a Communications Executive to support asylum-seeking women to speak out about their experiences of sexual violence, as well as educate the public and promote change.