Empowering women should be a priority, says Bucks charity supporting victims of sexual violence
It's as women are being celebrated around the world for International Women's Day
Women across the world are being celebrated today for International Women's Day, with events taking place across Buckinghamshire Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.
This year's celebration focuses on investing in women and accelerating progress.
Although celebrating achievements, wins, and advances in gender equality and women's rights is essential on the 8th of March, a charity supporting survivors of sexual assault and abuse told Greatest Hits Radio it should be about empowering women who continue to experience violence.
"...women who have been traumatised and abused are able to be empowered and succeed and contribute to their communities..."
Beki Osbourne, the CEO of SAASSBMK (Sexual Assault and Abuse Support Service Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes), said: "It's all about the importance of empowering women, it's not just about celebrating them but actually investing time and resources into their health and wellbeing."
"So that women who have been traumatised and abused are able to be empowered and succeed and contribute to their communities as well."
The SAASSBMK charity alone has seen a 10% increase in demand for their support service in the last year, with one in four women experiencing some form of violence.
"We're still living in a world where it's more likely than not that you will experience some form of harassment, misogyny or sexual violence throughout your life as a woman."
Ms Osbourne said: "When you think of someone who has experienced sexual violence and abuse, you can often think of the stereotype of a women who is covered in bruises, but when you think that it's one in four women, you start to think about mums and work colleagues."
Although showing support for women and celebrating their rights is important, Ms Osbourne believes not enough is being done to follow the support through the rest of the time, outside of International Women's Day.
She said: "There isn't the follow-through around policies and culture that supports and empowers women."
"We're still living in a world where it's more likely than not that you will experience some form of harassment, misogyny or sexual violence throughout your life as a woman."
If you want to find out more about the charity's work or seek support from them, you can visit their website.