Kingston Women’s Centre’s History
The Women’s Centre was founded in 1982, courtesy of the Greater London Council Women’s Committee. Many other Women’s Centres were founded in London at about the same time. Originally we had offices in Surbiton; eventually we were able to buy and convert our current premises in Canbury Park Road. Kingston Women’s Centre became a Charity and a Limited Company in September 2011 and it continues to offer low cost counselling services to women.
The here and now:
Kingston Women’s Centre stand in solidarity with the courageous women in Iran who have taken to the streets to peacefully protest the death in custody of Mahsa Amini and to demand their bodily rights. We also express our profound sympathy to the families of the incredible Iranian protesters who have lost their lives to the ongoing brutal police crackdown in response to peaceful demonstrations. We urge all to stand in solidarity with Iranian women and amplify their voices through all means possible, especially now that Iran’s government has severely limited internet access across the country.
Here are some of the organizations where you can either donate to, or if budget is tight, offer your help:
- The Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) works to protect human rights in Iran by researching and documenting human rights violations across the country as well as disclosing them to the public to bring about change.
- The Abdorrahman Boroumand Center is a non-governmental organization that commits itself to the rights of all victims of human rights violations, and uses research, documentation, publications, and outreach to restore dignity to Iran’s population.
- IKWRO is a registered charity in the UK providing advice and support to Middle Eastern, North African, and Afghan women and girls. It also offers training for them to understand their rights.
- As a global movement, Amnesty International did not hesitate to take action and has created a petition for you to sign.
Thinking of Ukraine
We are deeply saddened and concerned to hear, and see, the events taking place in Ukraine. KWC stands in solidarity with those affected by these developments.
As Marta Shokalo, a Ukrainian reporter, says “There is no safe place in Ukraine any more”. History shows that women and girls disproportionately suffer the consequences of war and KWC says NO to War!
Even before the invasion of Ukraine on the 24 February 2022, this has been a conflict that has hit people daily on a personal, psychological and emotional level, bringing death, injury and separation from loved ones, as well as the huge mental toll of ongoing violence and insecurity.
It’s hard to comprehend that this is taking place, please do reach out if you would like additional support during this time.
Support Organisations:
https://help.rescue-uk.org/ukraine-crisis-se?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=fy22_ukraine&utm_content=ukraine1&gclid=CjwKCAiAyPyQBhB6EiwAFUuakrBz6GR0M9txsMi3p0zfHOJ93QZR_spbWvdbKyQ8w5Ob_0Ato8-mcxoC8vEQAvD_BwE
Kingston Women’s Centre Showing Support for Afghan Women and Girls
Kingston Women’s Centre believes that every woman and young girl deserves to live her life free irrespective of where she was born. She should have the right to be educated, choose her career and have the freedom of speech. There should be no gender based violence, we know that during times of crisis, violence against women and girls increases. Afghan women need help in protecting their basic human rights, there needs to be discussion and pressure on the Taliban to allow women to operate as full members of society and receive the respect that is due to them.
The UK Government pledged to champion the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan. They must not abandon them now. The Prime Minister must ensure safe and legal routes to women human rights defenders and their families facing imminent danger.
Here is further information and action that you can take to support women and girls of Afghanistan:
We are saddened and appalled by the events that have again highlighted the shocking scale of racism prevalent in our society today. Although the recent murder of George Floyd on 25th May 2020 took place in USA we recognise that racist practices and beliefs are widespread within the UK.
Kingston Women’s Centre is committed to being actively anti-racist and to accelerate positive action to eliminate injustice, oppression and inequality, wherever it exists. This statement is in line with our ongoing mission of supporting women of all backgrounds in times of crisis and change.
It is white people’s responsibility to be less fragile; people of colour don’t need to twist themselves into knots trying to navigate us as painlessly as possible.
By Robin DiAngelo, author of ‘White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism.