Women have their say on Mayor Brabin's priorities for the year

30 January 2025

The Mayor of West Yorkshire invited women from all corners of the region to help shape her priorities for the year at a networking event yesterday (29 January).

Tracy Brabin, alongside the region’s Inclusivity Champion Fatima Khan-Shah and her business advisor Mandy Ridyard, welcomed over 120 women as part of the first Women of West Yorkshire in-person event of the year.

The free networking event, led by Ms Khan-Shah, provided a space for women to share their unique experiences and views on how the Mayor can make a real difference to their lives. These discussions will directly inform new policies that support women to flourish, such as removing barriers to skills training, making streets safer for women and girls, and supporting women business founders to grow their firms and access talent, skills, and markets.

Attendees, gathering at Cloth Hall Court in Leeds, were also given a chance to network with industry leaders, make professional connections, and access advice and mentorship opportunities.

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire said:

“As the UK’s first woman metro mayor, I know first-hand the importance of giving women a space to share their views on the issues that really matter to them.

“Our region is blazing a trail when it comes to empowering and protecting women and girls, from flexing skills training around childcare and caring responsibilities, to setting up the country’s first ever Women’s Safety Unit to support victims and put violent abusers behind bars.

“As we continue to grow our economy and create a stronger, fairer West Yorkshire, we’re putting in place the right support for women and girls to thrive personally and professionally in our great region.”

The Women of West Yorkshire network was launched by Fatima Khan-Shah in October 2023, to help set the future policy direction of Mayor Brabin, and to help create a region where women can achieve their career potential and access job opportunities in inclusive workplaces. It has amassed over 500 members from a variety of professions across the region and continues to grow.

Since its launch, the network has supported the launch of the Just Don’t Campaign, aimed at tackling inappropriate male behaviour and sexual harassment towards women and girls. The network is also working to help achieve Mayor Brabin’s pledge to build a region of learning and creativity, where everyone in West Yorkshire can get the skills, they need to succeed and secure good paying jobs.

Speaking about the event, Fatima Khan-Shah, West Yorkshire’s Inclusivity Champion said:

“Helping women to thrive and fostering positive change is what the Women of West Yorkshire Network is all about.

“I’ve always said that networks have been instrumental in my success, which is why events like this are so important. We want to open doors for women, help them achieve their ambitions, and shatter any limitations they may have put on themselves.

“We welcome women and allies from all walks of life to join our ever growing network.”

Women are being encouraged to sign up to the Women of West Yorkshire Network, where they will be able to help shape the Mayors priorities for the year, network with industry leaders and access new opportunities.