Islington Council announces London’s first Women’s and Girls Champion

Islington Council has appointed Cllr Kadeema Woodbyrne as London’s first Women’s and Girls Champion for 2018-2019.

Cllr Woodbyrne will be responsible for working to highlight what more can be done to ensure the rights of women and girls are protected, as well as championing services designed to support them and to end violence against them.

The position was created in response to a Plan International report highlighting the need to give a voice to a group who are amongst the least heard – girls, and to bring attention to the huge challenges they face here in the UK.

Cllr Kadeema Woodbyrne graduated with First Class Honours in psychology from the University of East London. She also advocated for children in care and care leavers in her capacity as the Council’s official representative from 2014-2017. She is the founder of Go-Forward Youth, a charitable organisation supporting care leavers transitioning into adulthood and living independently.

Cllr Kadeema Woodbyrne said:

“It’s an honour to be appointed Islington’s first ever Women and Girls champion.

“Although we have come a long way as a society in advancing the rights of women and girls, the fight is not over. Women and girls continue to face harassment, discrimination, and violence in their everyday lives, as well as persistent negative stereotypes that limit their ability to advance themselves and achieve their goals. This is just not good enough, and I am committed to working with the council to find solutions to the challenges women and girls face.

“I am proud to be a voice for women and girls in the council, and bringing this focus to everything that we do.”

For further information please contact:

Kate Robson
Senior Media Officer
Islington Council
Room G16, Upper Street, London, N1 2UD
Tel: 0207 527 8004
Out of hours mob: 07769 163303
Alternative contact: Media line 020 7527 2307
www.islington.gov.uk
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