Islington has its first ever women and girls champion

An incoming councillor will be Islington’s first ever women’s and girl’s champion.

Cllr Kadeema Woodbyrne will highlight the ongoing efforts to ensure the rights of women and girls are protected, and also promote services to support them and end violence against them.

The position was created in response to a Plan International report highlighting the need for a voice to represent girls.

Cllr Woodbyrne has a first class honours degree in psychology and has worked as an advocate for children in care and care leavers, founding her own charity to support them, Go-Forward Youth.

She said: “It’s an honour to be appointed. 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.”