In Our Words

Our 2024 manifesto

Our call for our new government to end systemic inequality and violence against Black and minoritised women and girls

Imkaan is proud to publish our manifesto:

In Our Words

End violence, racism, and inequality against Black and minoritised women and girls.

This manifesto calls for the newly elected government to improve policy and practice, to end violence against women and girls and protect its most marginalised population.

The previous government’s broader legislative and policy decisions have had a devastating impact on our ability to end VAWG. Imkaan represents 38 Black and minoritised ‘by and for’ organisations and a further 20 informally structured grassroots VAWG organisations. These organisations represent a full plethora of expertise and perspectives of frontline, specialist and dedicated Black and minoritised women’s organisations.

It would be a dereliction of our duty if we focused only on domestic abuse, as is often the case with mainstream narratives. We must call out all forms of violence against all Black and minoritised women, and we specifically call out the lack of provision available for disabled Black and minoritised victim-survivors.

Our manifesto outlines how we would like our new government to work with us and other Black and minoritised VAWG specialists to ensure that VAWG services available to victim survivors are appropriate, effective, equitable and intersectional, and that Black and minoritised victim-survivors are protected.

Our Recommendations:

The manifesto is divided into five key focus areas, each highlighting essential steps the government must take:
Migration, Housing, Criminal Justice system, Health and Funding for By and For Services.

Our Key Asks:

  1. End the gaslighting around structural racism and adopt an intersectional approach to end violence.

  2. Prioritise ending the femicide of Black and minoritised women and girls.

  3. End the hostile environment used to weaponise immigration, which harms Black and minoritised women and girls.

  4. Disaggregate data to expose inequalities in service provision in line with the Istanbul Convention.

  5. End health inequality that disproportionately affects Black and minoritised women and girls.

  6. Ensure sufficient housing for Black and minoritised women and girls.

  7. Provide ring-fenced funding for ‘by and for’ organisations.

Download the Manifesto:

Imkaan Manifesto Addressing Systemic Inequality and Violence Against Black and Minoritised Women and Girls

By adopting these measures, the next government can make significant strides towards a society free from violence against women and girls, where Black and minoritised women are safe, supported, and empowered.

Sign our Manifesto!

Our 2024 Manifesto calls on Labour Party to commit to these recommendations during their time in office. Without these changes, Black and Minoritised women will continue to be disproportionately affected by VAWG. We urge our new government to deliver these essential reforms in the next parliament to help eradicate VAWG for good and ensure the voices of Black and minoritised women are heard, respected, and acted upon.