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8 March, 2021
News Story

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 2021

International Women’s Day, on 8th March each year, celebrates the achievements of women across the globe, raises awareness of gender bias and encourages us all to take action for equality. 24% of our residents are women. Each day we celebrate their personal achievements, no matter how small or life-changing they might me.

We are really lucky to work with such inspiring and dedicated women, each in different ways making a huge difference to those who need our help. Both across the sector and within our own walls – including our Chief Executive, and our frontline, fundraising and facilities teams.

We are inspired daily by each and every person who uses our services, in particular our female residents, who have achieved so much in the face of adversity. For many, this might be escaping an abusive relationship, finding a new job in a job market saturated by the global pandemic, improving their wellbeing in a time of increasing uncertainty or quite simply setting goals and thinking positively about the future.

Take a look at this video where Cilla shares her story and journey out of homelessness.

“Since coming to Your Place in July I have felt safe and secure. My keyworker Elif has been great also and been really supportive the whole time. I just feel really comfortable around here, given the nature of my mental health episodes it is great to know that I will always have someone here that I can chat to. 

My hope for the future is to be able to live an independent life, taking reigns of my own situation, to be able to afford a normal life and to be comfortable and confident with it, because every day is a battle right now. Just to have that mental clarity back and not feel anxious would mean so much to me and enable me to do the things I used to do all the time in the past like travel on the Tube and fly to Australia for work”

This year’s theme for International Women’s Day is #ChooseToChallenge. Above is a picture of some of our team pledging their commitment to challenge inequality, call out bias, question stereotypes, and help forge an inclusive world. We’re not here just to respond to such inequalities and disadvantage, but to seek to do what we can to challenge and change them too. We have recently launched a diversity and inclusion action group led by staff across the charity and created a sub-committee within our Board structure to focus on diversity and inclusion to oversee our strategic direction in these areas, emphasising our commitment to creating change and taking action at all levels of the charity.

Amanda Duburry, Chief Executive of Your Place. Please see the video above for her full IWD 2021 message.

“Often the women that come to Your Place are those that have experienced violent abuse and oppression. One third of our trustees are women and 3/5 of our staff team are women, who are all committed and dedicated to their work and are making such a difference to some of the most disadvantaged people in East London. Thanks to all those women and all the women out there who are choosing to challenge. This International Women’s Day, let’s help to challenge violence and abuse against women and celebrate all the wonderful things that they do.”

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