Leader's Column

Spring 2023

March is a month that I always look forward to. Not just because the days are getting longer and (hopefully) a bit warmer, but also because it’s the month where we shine a light on the contributions made by and issues affecting women, through International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month.

As a young working-class woman of colour growing up in Haringey it always struck me that this incredible history was too often neglected and underappreciated. 

Now as the mother of a young daughter, it’s become even clearer how important it is for us to recognise and celebrate the women who worked so hard and sacrificed so much for the rights and opportunities we enjoy today.

I was honoured and privileged to be given the chance lead this great borough and even more proud that 8 out of my 10 cabinet members are women.

I’m equally proud that we’re working together with our residents to tackle the issues that matter most to women. Priorities for the next year that we outlined in our Corporate Delivery Plan in January include ensuring that more families from underrepresented groups benefit from free childcare entitlements, supporting residents through the cost of living crisis, providing holistic support for women who are victims of violence, and making our streets safer for women and girls.

Here in Haringey, we can look back on a rich history of inspirational women doing amazing things, from the suffragettes who fought for our voting rights to daredevils like Dolly Shepherd and Vera Turl – celebrated on the history page of this edition of Haringey People (page 25) – who pioneered the art of parachuting right here in our borough.

Throughout March we have an extensive programme of activities and events taking place right across the borough to mark Women’s History Month. It’s a great opportunity for all of us to learn about and honour this radical and diverse history, so I invite all residents to get involved by visiting our women’s history pages.

The fight for equality isn’t over. The gender pay gap, the unequal burden of unpaid childcare and domestic work, and unacceptable levels of sexual violence and harassment are just some of the ways in which our society continues to fail women and girls. On both the local and national level, there’s still a lot more progress to be made, and history to be written.

I look forward to working collaboratively with residents to make this plan a reality and taking a few steps towards a more equal future.

Cllr Peray Ahmet
Leader, Haringey Council

Contact details

Councillor Ahmet's ward surgery and contact details are shown on her councillor web page.

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Page last updated:

March 14, 2023

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