As we prepare to mark International Women’s Day, we would like to celebrate some incredible women making bold strides to end abuse and accelerate action towards achieving gender equality.
These 10 UK-based women have been at the forefront of activism, using their voices, legal expertise, and lived experiences to challenge systemic injustices and create lasting change.
- Pragna Patel – Founder of Southall Black Sisters
Pragna Patel has been a tireless advocate for women of colour facing domestic abuse and forced marriage. Through legal challenges and direct action, she has shaped national policies, ensuring that marginalised women have access to justice and protection.
- Dr. Charlotte Proudman – Human Rights Barrister
A fearless legal disruptor, Charlotte Proudman has challenged misogyny within the legal system, particularly around domestic abuse rulings. She successfully overturned an attempt to silence her advocacy, reinforcing the importance of legal reform in protecting victims and survivors.
- Dame Jasvinder Sanghera DBE – Founder of Karma Nirvana
A survivor of forced marriage, Jasvinder Sanghera transformed her painful experience into activism. She founded Karma Nirvana, a charity supporting victims and survivors of forced marriage and honour-based abuse and has shared her journey through powerful memoirs.
- Ngozi Fulani – Founder of Sistah Space
Ngozi Fulani’s work at Sistah Space has been groundbreaking in addressing the racial disparities in domestic abuse support services. By advocating for culturally competent responses, she has sparked national conversations on how Black women are affected by abuse and gender-based violence. This year, Sistah Space will celebrate its 10th anniversary.
- Joeli Brearley – Founder of Pregnant Then Screwed
Fired the day after informing her employer of her pregnancy, Joeli Brearley took a stand. She founded Pregnant Then Screwed, a campaign that successfully changed UK employment laws to extend redundancy protection for new mothers. She is now cohosting a podcast that discusses “the murky waters of masculinity and boyhood” titled To Be A Boy.
- Dr. Nicola Sharp-Jeffs OBE – Founder of Surviving Economic Abuse (SEA)
A leading expert in economic abuse, Dr. Nicola Sharp-Jeffs played a crucial role in ensuring it was recognised in the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. Her advocacy continues to shape financial policies that protect victims and survivors from economic control. She has recently launched her consultancy All Things Economic Abuse.
- Dawn Dines – Founder of Stamp Out Spiking
With the rise in drink spiking incidents, Dawn Dines developed StopTopps, a product preventing spiking, and introduced the UK’s first accredited spiking awareness training program in the hospitality industry. She is on a mission to recognise spiking as a serious form of gender-based violence.
- Karen Ingala Smith – CEO of nia and Founder of Counting Dead Women
Karen Ingala Smith created the UK Femicide Census, tracking and exposing male violence against women. Her data-driven activism has been instrumental in pushing for policy changes and greater protections for women.
- Polly Harrar – Founder of The Sharan Project
Polly Harrar has dedicated her career to supporting women affected by forced marriage, honour-based abuse, and domestic violence. Through The Sharan Project, she has provided crucial support to women who have been disowned or ostracised by their families and communities. Her work focuses on ensuring victims and survivors have access to safe housing, legal advice, and education, empowering them to rebuild their lives.
- Clare McGlynn – Professor of Law at Durham University and Advocate for Gender Equality and Sexual Violence Survivors
Clare McGlynn is an expert in feminist legal theory, specialising in sexual violence, sexual harassment, and gender equality in the law. She has been involved in campaigns for better legal protection for women, particularly in areas such as online abuse, and has played a key role in influencing policy changes related to sexual consent and harassment.
These women have disrupted systems, challenged the status quo, and fought tirelessly for gender equality and the rights of victims and survivors. Their activism reminds us that change happens when we refuse to be silent.
We stand in solidarity with them to amplify their voices and continue their fight.
Do you know a woman who deserves to be recognised for the parts they have played in accelerating action for gender equality? Please celebrate them on your social media platforms, tag us and we will help to amplify their voices by sharing your post.
DISCLAIMER: While we are recognising these women for their inspiring work in promoting gender equality, it is important to note that this recognition does not constitute an endorsement of all their views or actions. We acknowledge that individuals are complex and multifaceted, and we are highlighting their contributions, without necessarily agreeing with everything they have said or done. Our intention is to celebrate progress and inspire others to promote women’s voices in whatever way they can.
