THE LOCAL president of a global charity that helps women and girls achieve their potential has condemned violence, harassment and repression aimed at them.

Soroptimist International has a commitment to ensuring change, encouraging women to realise their aspirations and have an equal voice in creating strong, peaceful communities.

Julie Blackwell of Langrish is president of nine branches from Dorset through Hampshire to Surrey, that make up the charity’s UK Southern region.

She said: “Violence against women is endemic in the UK and across the world.

“The recent tragic events must be the start of the conversation about women’s safety and right to live in a world free from the fear of violence, harassment and abuse.

“Part of that is also to educate men and boys into respecting women and girls and their space.’

“We have written to our local MPs and asked local councils what they plan to do about the safety of the streets in their towns.”

Julie spoke out following the Sarah Everard tragedy and as the 65th session of the UN supported Commission on the Status of Women from March 15 to March 26 draws to a close.

She said: “We had more than 130 members attending the commission in New York ‘virtually.’

“Altogether there are over 25,000 activists registered – a wonderful opportunity to network, listen to other perspectives and influence the outcome.”

Before the commission began, southern region members heard about the Our Streets Now campaign.

Julie added: “Rubie Harrington of Plan International, with whom we work very closely on the same objectives, presented the grassroots youth campaign #CrimeNotCompliment that was started in a bid to make public sexual harassment a crime.

“We support the view, ‘make our streets safer for women and girls’.”

For more details visit the website at www.soroptimistinternational.org