A local group is calling for the end of the inequality of women in Dorset.

Following a meeting in Poole, Women’s Action Network Dorset has begun a campaign for a Dorset Women’s Charter.

Chairperson of the Women’s Action Network Dorset, Marianne Storey said: “Women and girls have experienced inequality for very many years – not just in Dorset but globally. What’s positive is that we are starting to experience a new time of unprecedented opportunity for women as society begins to acknowledge the sexism that is so entrenched, and to change its views and its biases about women’s specific roles, abilities, needs and ambitions.

“So, we brought influential women of Dorset together to unite around this opportunity – to talk about how we can work together towards true equality for women and girls in our county in areas such health, safety, economics, opportunity and education. And we are going to do that by creating a Charter that will set out what we expect from our representatives, leaders and decision makers and what women should be able to expect as citizens living in this county.

“Now is the time to harness the energy and drive of the ambitious women in our society to hold decision makers and leaders to account for their duties towards, for example, access to good quality women’s healthcare including menstrual health, abortion, HRT and fertility treatments; towards a safe society including male violence, criminal justice and sexual crimes; towards addressing the gender pay gap including low pay, lone working, family friendly employment; and towards improving society generally including issues of housing, life expectancy, town planning, transport links and childcare – all things that disproportionately affect women.

“In the wake of the success of the Lionesses at the Women’s Football Euros 2022, we can see clearly that our society is shifting its attitudes towards women which is hugely encouraging. Now is the time to give women and girls opportunities to take full advantage of that shift and start working towards a fully inclusive, safe, healthy and equal society where no-one is held back or compromised because of their gender or where they live.”

There are approximately 393,000 women and girls living in Dorset.