How Women’s Projects Combat Disadvantage and Transform Lives

Introduction

This report summarises the learning from a 2020 regional event about women‑centred approaches in the south-west.

The event focused on how women’s and girls’ projects address:

• inequality

• trauma

• multiple disadvantage

This report is for funders, practitioners and organisations supporting women and girls.

Findings

The report found that women’s projects are uniquely placed to support people facing issues such as:

• poverty

• racism

• disability

• abuse

• trauma

Specialist, local services reach women who rarely engage with mainstream support. They offer holistic, trauma‑informed, women‑centred support that promotes safety, empowerment and recovery.

The report shows that participants highlighted:

• increased support needs during COVID‑19

• digital exclusion

• worker burnout

• funding issues

It shows that there was a recognised need for gender‑aware safeguarding and early intervention. It also highlights the need for greater acknowledgement of the contributions of Black, Brown, refugees and young women.

The report highlights where funders are able to support, including:

• invest for the long term

• fund core costs

• build trust

• collaborate