A new women’s centre is planned for York. Scheduled to open later this year, the centre, called Kyra, will be situated in the city centre, their Facebook page became active today.
It will be a safe space for women who live in the York area, residents and students alike, to access health care, counselling and education, with the aim of strengthening the local female community.
The centre which will “work from a perspective of anti-racism, feminism and anti-oppression” is also taking advice from potential clients and visitors on it’s Facebook page. “Kyra is a new women’s centre opening in York later this year 2013. We want to hear what you think York needs in way of help for Women. If you have any ideas please post.”
The York student feminist and Women’s community has forged successful links with the locals before, such as when they joined forces with the local community in the Walk A Mile In Her Shoes Campaign, to raise awareness of female sexual harassment and rape culture.
Saskia Papidakis, one of the two YUSU Women’s Officers, commented; “We’re really pleased that there is going to be a women’s centre in York, as it recognises the need for women to have a safe space. Violence against women and different forms of gender discrimination continue to affect women from all walks of life, and we believe that the new women’s centre will give women greater access to support when they need it.”
A male Philosophy postgraduate commented: “I am very happy that safe spaces like this exist, until our society is equal and violence against women is stopped, we need them. It is exciting that we are going to have one in the York city centre.”
I think it’s really great that this project is getting the go-ahead it deserves. People need to stop pretending that there isn’t a need for such safe spaces, and the zero-discrimination attitude taken by the group sends a really positive message.