At the University of Huddersfield, almost 60% of our students are women. But at the highest levels, women make up just 30% of senior staff members and still experience gender-based discrimination. We also know that nationally, women students experience a lack of representation and support in higher education.

Compared to their male peers, women students are:

• More likely to experience sexual violence.
• Less likely to feel safe on and around campus.
• Paid less after graduation.

With this in mind, women students need the space to make positive change and achieve equality and inclusion.

In 2018, the then-President launched the Student Networks, including the Women’s Network. He wanted to provide women students with representation and the framework needed to organise, provide feedback, and make change.

Since the Network was founded, the Network members have started crucial conversations and prompted changes around things like:

• Women’s ability to feel safe on nights out.
• Access to menstrual products.
• Support for women experiencing sexual or intimate partner violence.

We have also brought in a paid role organising this Network to ensure that the work that goes into it and the experiences and voices of women students are being valued.

The Women’s Network campaigns for and support a better overall student experience for women students. This has involved running events and campaigns with a focus on women, as well as identifying and working to combat misogyny and other issues affecting women both on campus and beyond.