Our women's help menu is a digital and printable guide, created in 2023 for #16daysofactivism. The guide enables self signposting and instant redirection to support services, specifically for female focused issues.
Skip to the end of this article if you have been redirected from a printed poster, and want to access the immediate redirecting links from the poster to a support service.
Empowering women to signpost themselves to services, rather than relying solely on being signposted by others, is crucial for women being able to access essential services.
Enabling women to signpost themselves promotes autonomy and independence. In situations of gender based violence, women can often feel oppressed and lacking autonomy, being able to have control over decisions and actions for themselves is very important for overall wellbeing. Being able to refer yourself to a service as a woman, reinforces the confidence that you do have the capability to manage your own welfare.
Furthermore, self-signposting gives women the opportunity to choose the services that align with their specific needs and preferences. This enhances their agency in making decisions about their health, safety, and overall welfare. From an intersectional perspective, it is important to recognise that different cultures may have varying levels of comfort with external guidance. Allowing women to signpost themselves respects cultural diversity and individual preferences and confidentiality in seeking support.
Embarrassment and the wish to maintain privacy and confidentiality is a key blocker in women accessing essential services to improve and better their lives, and therefore it is so important that we raise awareness of services, so women know they can access them at their own will, without external referral. This ensures that women who are more comfortable seeking services discreetly without the need for third-party involvement, especially in sensitive or stigmatised situations, do get the help they need.
In summary, promoting self-signposting for women is about recognising and respecting their ability to make choices about their own lives. It acknowledges their agency, promotes privacy, reduces barriers, and contributes to an overall sense of empowerment and well-being.
Poster Links
Domestic abuse
Rape & sexual assault
Stalking, harassment and crime
Women's health & welfare
Work & employment
Housing
Parenting & caregiving
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