Erin Mansell, our Head of External Affairs, reflects on our contributions to Labour Party Conference as part of a coalition of VAWG organisations.
#VAWGTakeover
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www.wbg.org.uk/article/refl...
Great 🧵👇🏾to round off the #VAWGTakeover at #LabourConference - we we ended with power and emotion. Now we anticipate the #VAWGStrategy - we hope that the government has taken the concerns of the whole sector on board, especially from our sisters in by and for organisations.
It's been a privilege to be part of the #VAWGTakeover coalition of charities. Particular thanks to Jo Camadoo-Rothwell of @safelives.bsky.social for securing the space, which enabled a group of charities with limited budgets to join this key policy event.
Here's to lots more collaboration! 🤝 (7/7)
A photo of a group of six women standing and sitting behind a long panel table. Behind them are banners for Surviving Economic Abuse, Respect and the Women's Budget Group.
The last event of #VAWGTakeover was most emotional for us. Our post separation abuse panel with @seacharity.bsky.social & @womensbudgetgrp.bsky.social. Chaired by @hannahalothman.bsky.social with Claire Throssell MBE @emily4mk.bsky.social @jotodd.bsky.social Sam Smethers & WBG's Erin Mansell. (3/7)
At this evening's #VAWGTakeover event, we'll discuss the hidden harm of post-separation of abuse, alongside coalition partners @seacharity.bsky.social and @womensbudgetgrp.bsky.social.
We also plan to join the annual #VAWG rally which will round off our time at the conference.
Today is another busy day at #LabourPartyConference. We’ve attended the White Ribbon breakfast event on preventing men’s VAWG, before a collaboration meeting with @foundationsww.bsky.social, ahead of the third fringe event of the #VAWGTakeover, where @jotodd.bsky.social will be speaking on a panel.
Halving VAWG requires centring those most marginalised. Migrant women’s safety must come before immigration enforcement. This is the moment to deliver change that protects all women & girls. #StepUpMigrantWomen #EndVAWG #LabourPartyConference #VAWGTakeover
With huge thanks to our partners @evawuk.bsky.social @sbsisters.bsky.social @lawrsuk.bsky.social @rapecrisis.bsky.social @womensaid.bsky.social @refugecharity.bsky.social @respectuk.bsky.social @seacharity.bsky.social @womensbudgetgrp.bsky.social @safelives.bsky.social for our #VAWGTakeover.
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Yesterday at #LabourPartyConference, we co-hosted a roundtable with @lawrsuk.bsky.social and @sbsisters.bsky.social as part of the #VAWGTakeover.
The roundtable explored the vital question of where the black, minoritised and migrant women are in the Government's VAWG mission.
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The Govt pledged to halve #VAWG, but without including Black, minoritised & migrant women, that mission is impossible. If the govt doesn't address structural inequalities these women face, they get left behind. We cannot let that happen. #NoWomanLeftBehind #VAWGTakeover #LabourPartyConference
Together, we’re calling for a #VAWG strategy that:
✅ Centres lived experience
✅ Confronts racism & exclusion
✅ Grants access to safety & public funds
✅ Funds specialist ‘by and for’ services
#VAWGTakeover #LabourPartyConference
Our partners @sbsisters.bsky.social & @4refugeewomen.bsky.social are exposing the systemic barriers too often ignored in policy:
✅ Disbelief & racist stereotypes from statutory agencies
✅ Asylum processes that retraumatise survivors
✅ A two-tier system that leaves migrant women behind
#VAWGTakeover
Key issues we’re highlighting today:
❌ NRPF forces women to choose between abuse & destitution
❌ Institutional racism silences survivors
❌ Fear of detention & deportation blocks access to safety
#VAWGTakeover #LabourPartyConference
Our Director, Gisela Valle, is speaking about the dire consequences of hostile immigration policies on migrant women experiencing #VAWG. Women’s safety must come before immigration control. #VAWGTakeover #LabourPartyConference
The roundtable today brings together MPs, campaigners & partners across women’s, migrant rights & racial justice sectors. Our shared message: #VAWG cannot be ended without tackling its root causes, including racism & hostile immigration policies. #VAWGTakeover #LabourPartyConference
Leaders of VAWG organisations at Labour Party Conference
This week, we're part of a #VAWGTakeover of the #LabourPartyConference, calling on the government to take a whole-society approach to ending violence against women and girls - rooted in prevention and centring the most marginalised.
More information about the charities that make up the coalition leading the #VAWGTakeover and the events we are putting on in this previous post: bsky.app/profile/resp...
A photo of the members of the coalition of charities putting on the VAWG takeover at the reception event. 12 women are standing together, smiling, including Respect CEO Jo Todd. Behind them is a line of banners representing some of the charities behind the event - SafeLives, Respect, LAWRS, Southall Black Sisters, Women's Aid, Surviving Economic Abuse and Refuge.
Sunday saw the first event of the #VAWGTakeover at the #LabourPartyConference - a reception which heard from some of the CEOs from the charity coalition.
Speakers called for clarity on the delayed VAWG Strategy, parity on funding & the need to ensure meaningful inclusion of by & for organisations.
Our Director, Gisela Valle, will be speaking about the dire consequences of the current hostile immigration policy on migrant women #VAWGTakeover 💪 (2/2)
Our Director, Gisela Valle, will be speaking about the dire consequences of the current hostile immigration policy on migrant women #VAWGTakeover 💪 (2/2)
Following #LabourPartyConference? Watch the #VAWGTakeover with @evawuk.bsky.social Southall Black Sisters, @lawrsuk.bsky.social @4refugeewomen.bsky.social Rape Crisis England & Wales, Women’s Aid, @refugecharity.bsky.social @respectuk.bsky.social @seacharity.bsky.social @safelives.bsky.social & us.
CEOs of leading VAWG organisations.
This week, we’re at the Labour Party Conference.
As part of a coalition of specialist organisations, we’re calling on the government to make ending VAWG a political priority - not just for some, but for all. 1/2 #VAWGTakeover
The Labour govt’s pledge to halve violence against women & girls in a decade is welcome. But unless migrant, Black & minoritised women are centred, this goal won’t be met. We are at the #LabourPartyConference calling for migrant women to be at the heart of the conversation. #VAWGTakeover (1/4)
The #VAWGTakeover is led by LAWRS, @sbsisters.bsky.social @4refugeewomen.bsky.social @evawuk.bsky.social @rapecrisis.bsky.social @womensaid.bsky.social @refugecharity.bsky.social @respectuk.bsky.social @seacharity.bsky.social @womensbudgetgrp.bsky.social and @safelives.bsky.social (2/2)
Following the #LabourPartyConference? Keep an eye out for the #VAWGTakeover to hear how government must centre women and girls in its plans. Find out more buff.ly/Z3cSSDU (1/2)
Alongside @evawuk.bsky.social, @rapecrisis.bsky.social, @womensaid.bsky.social, @refugecharity.bsky.social, @respectuk.bsky.social, @womensbudgetgrp.bsky.social, @safelives.bsky.social and more, our #VAWGTakeover has a loud and clear message:
📣 Ensure ending VAWG is a political priority
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Heading to the #LabourPartyConference?
Look out for our #VAWGTakeover.
Over a year ago, the Government made welcome commitments to tackle VAWG, yet still hasn’t published its strategy.
Now is the time for a vital reset.
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Going to #LabourPartyConference? See 🧵 below on the #VAWGTakeover!
Sunset view of Liverpool waterfront with Museum of Liverpool and historic buildings, overlaid with Labour Party Conference events schedule for September 2025.
Collection of logos from UK organisations supporting women's rights, safety, and anti-violence campaigns. Including EVAW, LAWRs, Women for Refugee Women, Rape Crisis England & Wales, SBS, SafeLives, Refuge, SEA, Respect, Women's Aid, WBG
We will be alongside @sbsisters.bsky.social, @lawrsuk.bsky.social, @4refugeewomen.bsky.social, @rapecrisis.bsky.social, Women's Aid,, @refugecharity.bsky.social, @seacharity.bsky.social, @womensbudgetgrp.bsky.social and @safelives.bsky.social for the #VAWGTakeover.
Protesters gathered holding signs demanding government action to reduce violence against women by half.
Following the #LabourPartyConference?
Keep an eye out for the #VAWGTakeover to hear how the government must centre women and girls in its plans.
