The next event will focus how ethnic minority women influence the Scottish Government strategy on gender based violence

A new national Ethnic Minority Women’s Network has been set up to give women a stronger voice in public life.

The Council of Ethnic Minority Voluntary Organisations (CEMVO) Scotland has set up the network to allow an extensive group of women to influence the Scottish Government and other key decision makers who create policy affecting ethnic minority women.

The charity organised a series of events to develop the network in February and May this year, and is holding another on Wednesday 20 September in Glasgow.

Among the issues raised already were increasing the number of ethnic minority women in senior management roles in the public sector and general employability issues for EM women.

One event was held in partnership with the Scottish Government Equality Unit and Employability Team to allow EM women to directly influence national policy.

CEMVO’s next event will discuss the government’s Equally Safe policy, Scotland’s strategy for preventing and eradicating violence against women and girls.

The event is open to all women who have attended previous EM Women’s Network events, as well as those concerned about violence and safety for EM women.

Workshops will focus on topics such as gender-based and honour-based violence, identifying the issues that EM women face and what actions can be taken to tackle the barriers faced by EM women and girls.

The Equally Safe event is free to attent, but places are limited so booking is essential.