Young campaigners in Blackpool champion safer transport for women, addressing safety concerns raised by local girls.
The UYA’s efforts align with a UN campaign addressing International Women’s Day in 2025, advocating for women’s equality. The group intends to lobby for a report in Parliament that highlights issues concerning girls’ rights. This report, released last July, reveals the struggles faced by girls in Blackpool. The report surveyed nearly 3,000 girls nationwide, including UYA members from Blackpool.
The group is also collaborating with local transport to improve commuting safety, responding to widespread concerns about young women feeling unsafe, especially during winter with darkness and poor lighting, which exacerbates the issue. A group leader, Ella Humpfies, shared that her friends often feel scared while commuting due to such conditions and inappropriate comments.
Ella believes that buses should be secure and comfortable for young people. Many students rely on the bus to travel to school along the Blackpool to Preston route. To address these concerns, Ella and her group are collaborating with Blackpool Transport to implement safety measures and enhance public transport, with the ultimate goal of making it safer for young women.
In addition to improving transport safety, another UYA project focuses on encouraging more young women to participate in sports. The UYA has joined forces with Blackpool Football Club, Move Together Blackpool, and Sport England. Together, they are conducting surveys to identify barriers preventing young women from engaging in sports.
Furthermore, the UYA spearheads a national movement to promote young people’s voices and urge support for coastal social action, inviting groups to sign a charter to amplify youth activism and ensure young voices are included in decision-making processes. For details on how to get involved or sign the charter, contact socialaction@uyacic.org.