Steph Nixon, a women’s sector worker, reflects on the How Women’s Organisations are Creating Change session at our Summer Conference and shares how her own life experiences shape her perspective.
P.H.O.E.B.E on supporting women with intersecting difficulties
Mollin Delve, director of specialist women’s organisation P.H.O.E.B.E described how in many countries when a woman is attacked she is often not supported at all by the police or systems. She explained how Black and minoritised women carry with them their experiences of racism, violence, discrimination and this shapes their behaviour. Is it any wonder they don’t trust services? Mollin shared how:
“Because of the existing intersecting difficulties that our women face, and that are not always understood, women will just, you know, fall away and fall out of the system and will not receive support and will be invisible”
That’s where P.H.O.E.B.E comes in, delivering relevant support such as for girls self esteem, language courses and support for domestic abuse. They also work with organisations such as the NHS to increase staff’s understanding of Black women and babies needs.
MEWSo on education alongside legislative change
Halaleh Taheri spoke about many impactful campaigns led by MEWSo (Middle Eastern Women and Society Organisation). She also highlighted the importance of legislation change, but emphasised that what is crucial alongside that is education. Another key part of Haleleh’s talk was a joined-up approach and for the government to ban both virginity tests and hymenoplasty.
Hull Sisters on women standing side-by-side
Sonia Jalal, a leader from Hull Sisters, spoke to all of our hearts when she said:
“When you support women, and make them aware of their rights and boost up their confidence and morale, they surprise you in return. They will not only fight for their own human rights, they will also stand by you side by side in overall campaign and struggle for equal rights.”
Such a beautiful statement. Hull Sisters is another organisation who have gone above and beyond to continue to deliver services in the face of discrimination from the council. Sonia spoke about the struggle for ‘survival and independence’ in the face of racism that not only their clients experience, but the organisation experiences at an institutional level too.
Alliance for Choice on the need for safe, legal abortion
Emma, from Alliance for Choice, spoke about how they should have had the access and right to an abortion in Northern Ireland from April 2020, when the regulations came in. She spoke about how this was blown out of the water when Covid hit. Emma also spoke about her organisation’s work in addressing the legal framework but also ending abortion stigma with impactful statistics such as: 61% of people who access abortions are already the parent of at least one child. This highlights how it is a responsible, informed decision for women.
Women’s Budget Group on economic cases for change
Janet, from the Women’s Budget Group, spoke about making the economic case for investing in ending violence against women and girls. This first happened over 20 years ago. Janet spoke about how the women’s sector often champions moral reasons for change, whereas the Women’s Budget Group makes an economic case to government. They do this by bringing together feminist economists and activists.
The incredible women in my own life
This event got me thinking about incredible women in my life who are creating change every day.
The first powerhouse is Liz Folarin, who founded the BIPOC bookcase, a monthly virtual book club celebrating the writing of Black, Indigenous & People of Colour. We also have authors attend the meetups for a Q&A. Liz also runs masterclasses, corporate services and has created resources on her website. Liz had an idea to create this community and made it happen.
The thing I enjoy the most about the book club is hearing from Liz and other members, who always come up with an insightful analysis. We have conversations about so many things, including sickle cell disease, social media censorship and even pum pums! The books are seen through the lenses of people’s varied life experiences and us sharing those is a beautiful thing.
The publishing industry and authors are overwhelmingly white, with one study finding that out of 4,017 authors only 2.5% were Black British. In this context, our book club is taking a stand by increasing publicity and sales of books by BIPOC authors. Every quarter, Liz also donates part of our membership fees to charities and organisations that empower BIPOC communities.
As a white woman reading these books is important to help to free me from the white gaze* that I have internalised for most of my life. BIPOC authors write through their own lenses, including characters that flourish and are not stereotyped negatively.
The BIPOC bookcase means different things to everyone, but one thing that is for sure is that it is a thriving community creating change in many ways.
Someone else creating change is my mum, Jan. She is a superhero: a kind, smart, loving woman who brings joy wherever she goes. At the moment she is caring for her mum who is in hospital. My mum is emotionally and practically supporting both of her parents, acting as a part-time advocate for her Mum’s needs in hospital, all whilst dealing with the impact of this on herself. I see this as creating change in the world as it is family, friends and other networks of support that make the world go round. Charities and the NHS often struggle to provide sufficient support due to funding cuts and the impact of decades of austerity. Communities across the UK, people like my mum, are filling in the gaps, providing care and emotional support for their loved ones. Too often this kind of labour is undervalued despite the impact it has.
A final mention has to go to everyone involved in a community project I worked on for three years. We delivered training on understanding domestic abuse and how to signpost someone when they tell you about their experiences of abuse. We knew that people will often go to friends or family members rather than professionals and that people often don’t know what to say or what support services are out there. I believe so much in the power of this project. In particular the power of one conversation, especially for someone talking about abuse for the first time. Just one conversation can dramatically change someone’s life.
What stands out to me from all of this is the women who care so much and who do so much to create change. What do you care about? And how would you like to change it?
We are the ones that know our needs best, either as individuals or collectives. Together we will continue to create change in so many beautiful ways.
*4 One definition that Layla Saad uses is: ‘the white supremacist lens through which people with white privilege see BIPOC’ (Me & White Supremacy, 2012867: 132)