Northern Ireland Hotels Federation’s Post

The general election has been called. The political parties are ready – and so are we. At Fawcett, we are putting women at the heart of the campaign. Women make up more than half of the electorate, and are more likely to be undecided in their voting plans than men. The results are in -- the party that wants to win can’t do it without us. And they need to listen when we speak up about the issues facing women right now. We know that the UK’s early childhood education and care system does not work. We need free, universal childcare now. It’s time for workplaces that work for women: that means truly flexible work, an end to sexual harassment and racism in our workplaces. Women should see ourselves represented at every level of government. We are pushing hard to make sure the next Parliament gets us that much closer to equality at every level. Politics should be about facts, not misogyny, discrimination or division. We want all candidates to commit to a zero-tolerance approach to misogyny and racist misogyny whilst campaigning, by signing Fawcett’s pledge. Fawcett is also proud to co-convene the biggest ever coalition of women’s sector organisations, #SheVotes24, to help push forward the issues that really matter to women across the UK. Fawcett members are a powerful movement for change, advancing these goals and creating a world where women are truly equal. Join Fawcett today and make this election count for women: https://lnkd.in/eizjfYmi #WomenWinElections #SheVotes24

🌟 Look Up! I'm on a Billboard! 🌟In Penrith NSW - Go Figure! Why is this great? Because it represents so much more than just an ad. It’s a symbol of: 💪 Breaking Barriers: Starting in the male-dominated security industry 37 years ago, I faced countless challenges and stereotypes. This billboard is proof that perseverance and passion can shatter glass ceilings. 🎤 Amplifying Voices: Being featured means I can share my story louder and prouder, encouraging women to step into non-traditional roles and industries, just like I did. 🤝 Supporting the Community: It’s not just about me—it’s about showcasing how small businesses, like Nepean Regional Security, contribute to local growth and success. 🔥 A Reminder to Dream Big: From a home office to now being a recognised face in the industry, this moment underscores my mantra: "Never say never—what could happen? They say no?" So, next time you're driving by, give me a wave! 🚗👋 And remember, no dream is too big, and no challenge is too great if you're willing to chase it. #BillboardMoment #WomenInBusiness #DreamBig #BreakingBarriers #CommunityLeadership

Great feature from WGBH Radio and Television today on the rise of women in elected office at all levels in Massachusetts. Even with significant gains over the past few years, women still only hold 30% of the seats in the Massachusetts state legislature. We know from listening to women already in office, that their safety is a key challenge to staying in office. We’re working to keep this momentum going so threats and violence don’t prevent everyone from benefiting from more women serving everywhere. #WomenInPolitics

Happy Voting Week or is it? Am I the only one who has this on my mind right. This week marks a historic moment, not just for UK politics but for me personally because at the ripe old age of 34, i'll be voting for the first time here in the UK having recently been granted British Citizenship. And yet despite being old enough to know what’s right or wrong, I’ve got no idea who to vote for. I've spent all week trying to figure it out and to be honest, I still haven't decided. In the process of doing my research, I did stumble across this great article in Glamour summarising what the main political parties are promising for women so I thought i'd share in case it helps anyone who feels the same as me right now. From online safety to reproductive healthcare, it outlines in plain and simple terms what each political party has pledged for women's rights. https://lnkd.in/ehhbxwUM I also learned this week that although we’ve had the right to vote for over 100 years now, it wasn’t until 1982 that women in England could use their own money to buy a drink in a pub without fear of being refused. How crazy is that! It serves as a reminder to never take democracy for granted. We have a right to vote and yet here in the UK 20% of women either don’t know who to vote for, or if they’re even going to vote at all. That’s compared to only 11% of men. Great work Lemon Fuller and Lemonade Dolls highlighting this. 20% is a huge number of women who could potentially stay home on the 4th July, losing their right to have their say. The truth is we need to see women in positions of power - if we don’t, changes are never going to happen. Have you decide yet? #politicalpost #confused #areyouvoting #womenvotemakeitcount

Brilliant to see the #PowertoChange campaign launching today in Northern Ireland—a real step in the right direction when it comes to tackling misogyny and violence against women and girls. In a post conflict society like here in Northern Ireland, where violence has been normalised for so long, it’s no surprise that misogyny is still so deeply embedded. The legacy of the conflict and paramilitary violence isn’t just about what happened on the streets—it’s about the impact it had (and still has) in homes and relationships. Control, fear, and coercion didn’t end with the peace process, and for too many women, those patterns of abuse are still playing out behind closed doors. This campaign is about getting people—especially men—to take a hard look at their own attitudes and behaviour, and to call out misogyny when they see it. It’s about challenging the idea that this is “just the way things are” and "just a bit of banter" and pushing for real change. Because no woman or girl should have to accept harassment or abuse as part of life.

Un Silenced. Until we have justice, at least we have voices. Women are still silenced, still abused everywhere in the world purely because they are women. As long as women are undermined, underrepresented in leadership - government, police, industry - there will continue to be a disparity in how genders are viewed in terms of their value and inherent worth. As long as men like Bruce Lehrmann can drag their victims through consecutive media/legal trials (while being lavished with money and free accommodation by the Seven network), and major sports celebrities can rape women and be released without punishment (thanks to expensive, savvy lawyers), this nation will continue to remind women our lives matter less. We don't need rhetoric, we need meaningful representation and a justice system that puts women's needs at the forefront. We need more women judges, more women MPs, and if that means gender quotas, do it.

Did you know one in five women have suffered online abuse or harassment? And almost half of women said the abuse or harassment they received was sexist or misogynistic.   That’s why last night, we came together with AllBright for a candid discussion exploring the rising threat to our society of violence against women and girls, and the online safety bill. Introduced by Lucy Knill FRSA, MD, Anthropy UK, this imperative discussion between The Rt Hon the Baroness Morgan of Cotes Nicky Morgan, Dame Melanie Dawes, CEO of Ofcom and Viviane Paxinos, CEO of AllBright, left no rock unturned in the matter of online safety for women and girls.   We delved into key themes about the rising threat of online harassment including:   1️⃣ The Online Safety Bill, championed by Baroness Nicky Morgan to create safer online spaces legislatively, the obstacles it faces and the need for social media platforms to take responsibility. 2️⃣ Regulations and enforcements, including Ofcom’s role in regulating online safety and Penalties for non-compliance. 3️⃣ The necessity for a cultural shift driven by regulation and public awareness, education of children and parents, and teachers about online safety and proper use of technology. 4️⃣ The potential polarisation between digital natives and those who can disconnect from online environments. 5️⃣ The responsibility of businesses for implementing online safety measures, and the economic incentives for safer digital environments as the toxic nature of online spaces can drive consumers away. 6️⃣ The broader impact on societal attitudes and behaviours, especially regarding gender divides as we deal with technology’s unintended consequences on women’s societal challenges.   And finally, our calls to action: ➡ Raise awareness within businesses and communities. Thank you to Ben Fletcher, Chief Finance & Transformation Officer at The Very Group, and Chair of the Anthropy Children and Education Alliance, for closing remarks on the opportunity for business to really generate positive impact in society.   ➡ Encourage active allyship and intervention when witnessing online abuse.   ➡ Advocate for responsible social media use among children and teens. Dame Melanie Dawes and Baroness Morgan will further the conversation at #Anthropy25 so there will be another opportunity to hear from these inspiring ladies. Professor Lorna Woods OBE (Professor of Internet Law University of Essex) | Ann Francke OBE - Chartered Management Institute | Lucienne Shakir (MEd) - Female Founders Summit | Dr Carol Homden CBE - Coram | Annamarie Phelps CBE OLY - IWG Women & Sport | Sophie Devonshire⚡️ - The Marketing Society #Leadership #Allyship #OnlineSafetyBill #ViolenceAgainstWomenAndGirls #SafeOnlineSpaces #SafeSpaces #Online #SocialMedia #SocialMediaPlatforms #OnlineSafety #Marketing #Technology #Business #DigitalEnvironment #DigitalSafety #ResponsibleSocialMedia

Ahead of the General Election, AG Comms joins Centenary Action, Fawcett Society & over 120 women’s organisations in the largest ever coalition of organisations representing the interests of women and girls. Read our joint letter here: https://bit.ly/4egaENn Women and girls represent over half of the population and still our voices are not heard, our quality of life is not prioritised and our experiences are often dismissed. We must amplify women's voices and support their inclusion in the political process to: - increase women's representation in politics and public life - end violence against women and girls - increase economic equality - improve women's health - ensure foreign policy includes women's leadership and addresses international women's aid #SheVotes24 

Weekend Reading on Women's Representation is a compilation of stories about women’s representation in politics, on boards, in sports and entertainment, in judicial offices and in the private sector in the U.S. and around the world. This week's list features the 2024 WomenLift Health Global Conference where we learned about women leaders advocating for women’s leadership in politics and global health. Read more below. #WomenEmpowered

Our Improving Democracy: Transforming Parliament for Women program is not just about learning; it’s about empowering women to drive change. 100% of participants report improvements in their power to influence and drive change within the political system. With over 1 in 4 women in NSW Parliament counting themselves as alumnae, this program is supporting a group of change-makers to create the conditions necessary for a more inclusive and representative democracy. The testimonials from our participants highlight the program’s transformative impact, illustrating how it equips women MPs with the skills, relationships and confidence needed to transform the culture of Parliament. Find out more here: https://lnkd.in/gjpTr-U7 #SystemsChange #WomenInLeadership #NSWParliament #auspol