A new group, the Women of West Yorkshire Network, has convened for the first time to influence the future policy direction of Tracy Brabin, the Mayor of West Yorkshire.
Fatima Khan-Shah, who was appointed as the Inclusivity Champion for the region by the Mayor, officially launched the network on 3 October. This initiative seeks to provide support to women and girls, forming a grassroots movement aimed at driving positive change.
The Women of West Yorkshire Network’s launch follows the introduction of the “Just Don’t” campaign, a drive to combat inappropriate male behaviour and everyday sexual harassment towards women and girls.
Both Mayor Brabin and Alison Lowe OBE, West Yorkshire’s Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, have pledged their commitment to prioritize the welfare of women and girls in their regional plans.
The inaugural meeting took place at Tileyard North in Wakefield and featured addresses from local leaders, including Shanaz Gulzar, Creative Director of Bradford UK City of Culture 2025; Fatima Patel, Editor in Chief at the Asian Standard; and Rob Webster CBE, CEO of the West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board.
Approximately 100 women and allies attended the event.
Discussions during the gathering revolved around the importance of allyship from men, equitable representation for women, and the necessity to break down barriers hindering the progress of women and girls.
Image: West Yorkshire Combined Authority
Mayor Brabin, drawing from her personal experiences, including a distressing encounter with attempted sexual violence during her twenties, expressed her commitment to effecting positive change for women and girls in West Yorkshire.
Fatima Khan-Shah, the Inclusivity Champion for West Yorkshire, emphasized the significance of the network, stating, “To drive forward a West Yorkshire that works for all, it’s important to create a space where people can get together and discuss what matters to them so we can identify problems and drive positive change.”
Cathy Elliot, Chair of the NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, praised the initiative, saying, “Having a forum like this for West Yorkshire will enable women and allies to create a supportive environment for learning, development, and collaboration for positive change locally.”
Mayor Brabin expressed her dedication to inclusivity, stating, “This new Women of West Yorkshire Network will offer a vital source of support, information sharing, mentoring, and solidarity to our women and girls, as we build a brighter region that works for all.”
