SOUTHALL BLACK SISTERS FACING CLOSURE

Early day motion 1122, tabled 5 March 2008 by Virendra Sharma (Labour). Signed by 73 members.

That this House notes that Southall Black Sisters, a pioneering and pre-eminent campaigning and advocacy group for black and minority ethnic women experiencing domestic violence, is facing possible closure due to proposed funding cuts by Ealing Council; further notes that the local authority has justified its decision on the basis that single group funding promotes segregation; calls upon the Government to clarify its cohesion funding strategy with special regard to secular groups such as Southall Black Sisters which work with women from different ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds, many of whom are amongst the most marginalised and voiceless women in society; further calls on the Government to condemn publicly any moves towards this proposed funding cut; urges the Government to acknowledge the invaluable work that Southall Black Sisters has been doing for abused women since the 1970s; and further calls on the Government to voice its support for the Southall Black Sisters' continued role in empowering vulnerable and isolated women in Ealing and beyond.

Signatures by party: Labour 46, Liberal Democrat 21, DUP 1, Independent 1, Independent Labour 1, Respect 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1, UUP 1.