Last week I was lucky enough to be one of 12 young women chosen to talk to the Prime Minister and the Home Secretary as part of Company Magazine’s Get Home Safely Campaign. I was there representing the Shoreditch Sisters W.I. to put the views and ideas of the group to the government.
In the UK many young women feel vulnerable if they are out after dark, particularly if they are on their own, and most are cautious about how they get home at night. However, after a cocktail or three, inhibitions can take a back seat.
When you’re drunk, cold and tired the emphasis is all on getting home as quickly as possible, and when you’re on a budget safety may not be the first thing that comes to mind. We all know someone who after a night out has thought that the ten minute walk home alone is better than waiting for a taxi, or jumped in an unlicensed cab to save a few pounds. When your feet hurt from heels and you’re starting to wish you’d worn that jacket after all, taking shortcuts can seem like a good idea, but many of us are putting ourselves in danger.
These are the issues we wanted to take to the government.
At the Shoreditch Sisters we would like to see more transport options available for young women in London to get home after nights out- All of us could relate to at least one time when we had turned down an invitation to go out because we were worried about how we would get home. We would like to see a more frequent night bus service with clearer route maps and better lighting and CCTV at bus stops. We would also like to see the tube network open later at the weekends amongst other things.
With all the debt and cuts being made at the moment we realise that these are huge demands, but when young women’s safety is at risk we think it is worth it...did the politicians?? You'll have to read my next instalment to find out! xxx
very proud of you xxx
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