We invite organisations within the Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) sector, and those who work with women experiencing VAWG, to unite to end racism within our movement.

During 2020 we have witnessed global call to action for racial justice, following the murder of George Floyd and Black Lives Matter (BLM) movements worldwide. The murder led to the largest anti-racist protests in the UK’s history – bringing into sharp focus everyday and structural racism in communities, workplaces, charities and the VAWG sector.

Systemic racism causes harm to the women we work for, and the women within our movement. It shapes how Black and minoritised women experience violence, and their access to safety, support and justice. It is replicated within our sector through inequitable funding, unequal power and partnerships, appropriation and failure to ensure that Black and minoritised women are treated equally.

The sector urgently needs to challenge white supremacy, patriarchy and state violence, and centre women facing intersecting forms of oppression. We must listen to what Black and minoritised women within the VAWG sector have been telling us is needed for far too long.

The change needed will not happen overnight, but we hope this event is the start of the urgent work needed to tackle racism in the VAWG sector. We hope you will join this launch event to:

• Sign up to a collective call to action, which sets out a clear set of anti-racist values and priorities;

• Commit to work together over the next three months to deliver a robust charter for anti-racism in the VAWG sector.

We also invite Black and minoritised women working in the sector to join a separate, safe space following the launch event, hosted by Imkaan. Please select the ticket relevant for you.

On 9th December, you will receive joining details for the events on the 10th.

The Anti-Racism Working Group consists of women from: Angelou Centre, the Centre for Women's Justice, the End Violence Against Women Coalition, Imkaan, Latin American Women's Aid, Latin American Women's Rights Service, Rights of Women, Solace Women's Aid, Southall Black Sisters, Surviving Economic Abuse, Standing Together Against Domestic Violence, the Step Up Migrant Women Campaign, Women's Aid Federation of England and Women for Refugee Women.

Call to Action: End Racism in the VAWG Sector