Kingston

Six resolutions, presented by the committee members, were voted upon and the results will be sent to headquarters. All votes are totalled to find which will go the AGM this summer.

1) To raise awareness of the causes and impacts of loneliness in both young and old, male and female, to identify the lonely and offer them appropriate assistance and support.

2) Although Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) has been illegal for over thirty years there has yet to be a successful prosecution. The government is urged to improve efforts to get successful prosecutions of those involved in this abusive practice thereby advancing the health of women and girls who have suffered or are at risk of suffering FGM.

3) A shortage of specialised maternal mental health services mean that vulnerable women, their babies and families face a post-code lottery of perinatal mental health support. NHS commissioners are urged to prioritise the development of these support services so help is more easily accessible.

4) Millions of female and child refugees fleeing conflict, find themselves at risk of violence, abuse and exploitation in refugee camps. WI members are encouraged to raise awareness of these risks and push for action to ensure there are safe eating and sleeping places and so get the care needed and space to learn and play.

5) Many women and children rely on refuges to escape violent and abusive relationships; on average two women are killed each week by their current or former partner. However, in recent years refuges have faced significant cuts to their services resulting in 66 percent of referrals to refuges being turned away. The government is urged to safeguard refuges and increase service provision in all areas.

6) Every time synthetic clothing is washed tiny micro-plastic fibres are shed contaminating the oceans. Government and industry are called upon to research and develop innovative solutions to this problem. Once in the oceans aquatic life ingest toxins soaked up by the fibres which progresses up the food chain.

The resolution gaining the most votes was number 5, about refuges for abused women. The next meeting, February 2 at 7.30pm, is a craft evening where members can try different crafts. All are welcome.

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