Rochdale Women’s Welfare Association to receive funding to continue fighting violence against women and girls

The Rochdale Women’s Welfare Association is to receive funding from Rosa, a leading UK grantmaking charity funding organisation led by, and for, women and girls to allow their vital work fighting violence against women and girls (VAWG) to continue.

A total of 25 organisations from across the UK will receive one-year grants of up to £25,000 including the Rochdale Women’s Welfare Association.

Rochdale Women’s Welfare Association is a dedicated woman-led organisation striving to empower Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) women to reach their full potential, tackling inequalities, working to eliminate violence against women and girls and providing holistic support in a safe, culturally appropriate environment.

The money comes from Rosa’s Stand With Us fund which was set up last year to utilise and continue the amazing fundraising efforts of Reclaim These Streets and hundreds of individual donors in the wake of the murder of Sarah Everard.

Khaldha Manzoor, CEO, Rochdale Women’s Welfare Association, said: “This funding means so much.

“It’s an opportunity for us to do some team building with the new staff members and leadership training.

“Development of effective leaders can have incredible impacts on not only the team we manage, but amongst the wider community.”

The funds will enable the organisations to be in a stronger position to survive, thrive and grow by investing in organisational development work such as developing strategy, strengthening governance and leadership, increasing fundraising, volunteering and activism and creating a stronger voice for themselves in the women’s movement.

All the organisations funded by Rosa focus on working on either violence against women and girls or rape and sexual violence and their primary purpose is providing services directly to women and girls.

A survey of over 320 women’s and girls’ organisations working with and for those affected by VAWG conducted by Rosa in November 2021 showed that 89% of respondents believed violence against women and girls is one of the biggest and most under-resourced threats facing our society today. 

The most recent crime statistics from police in England and Wales show that there has been a significant rise in the number of recorded sexual offences since April 2021 with 70,600 rapes reported in the year to June 2022, an increase of 20% on pre-COVID figures.

There were also 912,181 domestic abuse offences recorded, 6% more than last year and 14% more than in 2019-20.

While the ONS point out that there are many factors that could contribute to these increases, including improvements in recording and reporting of crimes, it’s clear that there is a greater need than ever for services that provide support to women and girls affected by these crimes.

Rosa will be continuing to raise money for the Stand With Us fund, working towards a target of £1 million in donations to help empower and strengthen more frontline organisations working to end violence against women and girls.

Rebecca Gill, Executive Director of Rosa, said: “We’re thrilled to be able to announce the fantastic organisations who will be receiving grants as part of the Stand With Us fund.

“We want to thank everyone who took the time to apply, and the experts who helped us ensure that the funds will reach those who can make the biggest difference to women and girls across the country whose lives are impacted by male violence.

“This fund was made possible due to the brilliant initial fundraising efforts of Reclaim These Streets and we are delighted to see that effort making such a positive difference where it matters most.”

To donate or find out more about the fund visit the Just Giving Page.