Women’s Inequalities
“It’s one thing having a session translated from English to Somali or English to Bengali but having a session delivered in our mother tongue was truly a beautiful and empowering experience.”
“I have been hesitant to go for cervical screening as my sister in law passed away from cervical cancer. I didn’t want to not know if anything was wrong; but now I know so much can be done if you go for cervical screening and have any abnormalities detected early.”
At the Women’s Inclusive Team, our core mission is to reduce inequalities affecting women and their families across all areas of life. From health and safety to employment, development, language learning (ESOL), and more. We design and deliver programmes that support women in overcoming barriers and thriving, no matter their background.
Empowerment & Inclusive Services
We believe every woman deserves the opportunity to live safely, to contribute, and to have access to the resources she needs. We don’t just respond to crises, we work proactively, across many fronts:
Health & Wellbeing
Improving access to healthcare and in particular mental health, reproductive, cervical and sexual health by delivering culturally sensitive health promotion. We work heavily to drive change in health literacy, work with mainstream services and lead community education so that local women and their families can get the right support they need. Additionally, through this work, we’ve strengthened workforce representation by training women, particularly from the Somali community as advisors, receptionist and customer support roles. By boosting representation and cultural competence of front-line services, we improve access for all. We’ve partnered with GPs, ELFT, Tower Hamlets Housing and more to improve access and opportunities.
Women’s Safety
Preventing violence and abuse and ensuring survivors find safe and culturally sensitive support is part of the focus by the Women’s Inequalities department within the organisation. In 2024–2025, over 120 Somali women were supported through culturally appropriate community engagement, awareness-raising, and trusted pathways to protection in our violence against women and girls’ project. Their experiences highlight why understanding cultural nuance matters so much and the need for services must be designed in ways that make every woman feel safe, heard, and empowered.
Together we rise
Employment & Development
Our work varies dependent and driven by the needs of the community. Areas our members will often enquire about are skills development, confidence building, training, and creating pathways to work, ESOL classes and support, helping women to communicate, to understand their rights, to access services. Their needs and voice is what leads our work. Our programmes are built around listening and learning. We adapt to meet the lived realities of women facing cultural, systemic or economic barriers and make sure nothing is one-size-fits-all.
Change starts in our communities. Organise, educate, and empower others to challenge harmful behaviours and promote respect for all.
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, please reach out to our Haawa team. You are not alone, help and support are available. Our team offers a safe, confidential space where you can talk about what’s happening, receive guidance, and explore your options.
We are here to listen and help you take the next steps toward safety and healing.
Contact our Haawa team today.
202 Cambridge Heath Rd
England, London
E2 9LJ
Mob: 07458307356
Email: Haawa@wit.org.uk
Our Vision
We are creating a world in which every woman, regardless of ethnicity, language, immigration status, religion or culture, has:
- Equal access to services that are safe, respectful, and culturally aware;
- Opportunities to learn, develop, and contribute
- Support in reclaiming agency over their health, safety and lives
- Confidence that their voice matters
