Tuesday 18-03-2025 - 10:46

 

 

The Womens+ Network is an invitation for women and people of all diverse gender identities to work together to create a bold, visible, and united force for gender equality at Lancaster University.

 

On the 8th of May at 5:30 PM in the LEC Atrium, we are launching the Womens+ Network.

I am writing this article to reach out to you because I need your help. We want to end gender inequality at our university – and to do that, we need everyone to be involved. This is the first network of its kind in LUSU: we want to try and galvanize as many pre-existing women’s campaigners, societies, and students as possible to be a united front for gender equality. 

Why are we launching the Womens+ Network?

I was elected as your Women+ LCO last academic year and the more I have spoken to students and staff, the more I have realised that fighting for women’s rights has too often been dismissed as a non-problem. If there is one thing I know for certain, it is that misogyny is not just a problem – it is a crisis. Following the Safe Campus Collaborative event I held in the Michaelmas term, it became clear to me that experiencing misogyny was a far too common part of women+ students' university experience.

From online ‘confession’ pages to student societies, nightclubs to seminars, misogynistic behaviour is pervasive and harmful. This is unacceptable. Women+ students deserve equal respect and opportunities to succeed at university as their male counterparts. 

Recently, we’ve seen women at the forefront of change at Lancaster University. Leah Buttery’s campaign, ‘The Free Flow Project’, has been pressuring the university to provide free menstrual products across campus buildings, trying to make tampons and pads available to all students. Meanwhile, the ‘Stop Sexual Misconduct & Harassment’ campaign and student groups, such as the ‘Consent Collective’, have been hard at work promoting a safer campus through sexual assault awareness.

These initiatives have created meaningful progress. But imagine what we could achieve if we united these efforts – if we combined our voices, our strategies, and our determination. The Womens+ Network aims to be that unifying force.

What will we be discussing? 

We've invited several speakers to talk about some of the campaigns already making waves across campus. 

The topics we’ll be covering are: 
·       Period product access – for all students to participate at university without the burden of period poverty.
·       Tackling ‘lad culture’ – to destigmatise men speaking out to support gender equality.
·       Self-esteem – how body dysmorphia may prevent student participation in sports and societies.
·       Creating a safe campus – by dismantling rape culture.
·       How to run a successful campaign – and more advice on implementing the change you want to see! 

There will be opportunities to make your voice heard throughout this event. We’re currently hard at work with the speakers to create questions that can facilitate group discussions about each of the topics! 

Who’s invited?

If you identify as a woman, or any diverse gender, you’re invited to attend! 

We especially welcome those already campaigning, involved in women+ societies, or serving as officers on JCRs. Your perspectives aren't just valuable—they're vital. Because to date, student campaigns have often lacked the unified power of all women+ voices speaking together.

If you want to be part of creating a Lancaster University where gender equality is not just an aspiration but a reality, join us in the LEC Atrium on Thursday 8th May at 5:30 PM—because the journey toward meaningful change begins with showing up.

 

(**Please note this event was previously scheduled for 27th March, but has since been re-scheduled. View the event listing here.**)