In our last Student Assembly we passed a motion, which received overwhelming support, to lobby the university for a Full Time Women's Officer. Student Assembly is the democratic forum put in place so that every student can influence key policies that shape the union: this is what students want and as a union we are mandated to represent their needs.

Women make up over two thirds of our student body (66.3%) and according to NUS Women's Campaign's research into Lad Culture on campus, 1 in 7 women experience sexual harrasment and violence on campus.http://www.nus.org.uk/Global/NUS_hidden_marks_report_2nd_edition_web.pdf

http://www.nus.org.uk/en/news/nus-research-reveals-one-in-four-students-suffer-unwelcome-sexual-advances/

Also, 1 in 4 women in the UK will be the victims of rape and sexual assault in their lifetimes (Painter, 1991).

With government austerity measures affecting women's crisis shelters and the cuts to higher education, this leaves more women students vulnerable and with very little support. Goldsmith's counselling services are stretched, and there is very little representation for student parents and student carers (who are disproportionately women).

The need for a Full Time Women's Officer (in addition to the 4 roles we currently have) is crucial for real representation. We hope this will pave the way for more liberation campaigns to demand better representation.

Please sign and spread the word!

Thank you.

Bahar Mustafa

Goldsmiths Welfare and Diversity Officer