In 2024, International Women’s Day campaign theme, “Inspire Inclusion” emphasizes the importance of diversity and empowerment in all aspects of society.

This year’s campaign theme underscores the crucial role of inclusion in achieving gender equality. It calls for action to break down barriers, challenge stereotypes, and create environments where all women are valued and respected. Inspire Inclusion encourages everyone to recognize the unique perspectives and contributions of women from all walks of life, including those from marginalized communities.

Women’s issues are international issues. They are global issues.

Gender inequality continues.

Systems and practices can and do reinforce inequalities.

ALL FAMILY COURTS should respond to and consider the impact of victims going through the family court process which is adversarial in nature and creates fear, stress, anxiety and financial difficulties for women and their children. The family courts can and do create barriers to women and their children – it is not a place that inspires inclusion

Whether this is within Child Arrangements Proceedings or Financial Proceedings women have the right to be heard, to be listened to and treated equally in order for the justice system to be representative of their needs and those of their children.

During my time as a Women’s McKenzie Friend I have supported women of many nationalities. The English and Welsh courts are International. Women from all cultures and nationalities navigate their way through the family courts. I wonder how inclusive it is for these women who have cultural and language differences.

So here are a few of the countries that women were either born within, have dual citizenship with or their parents grew up in that country that I have had the privilege of supporting through the family courts.

JAPAN FRANCE CHINA INDIA MATLA GREECE CANANDA

MEXICO ROMANIA UKRAINE SPANISH POLAND SERBIA PAKISTAN

Women’s McKenzie Friend supports women at a number of family courts throughout the South West of England including Swindon, Oxford, Salisbury, Bath, Bristol, Basingstoke, Southampton, Portsmouth, Gloucester, Bournemouth, Exeter, Guildford, Reading, Yeovil and Winchester.

“Justice cannot be for one side alone, but must be for both” – Eleanor Roosevelt

For more than 25 years I have provided specialist support to women and children in their communities to access justice and to live their lives positively and with choice.

I now do this through Women’s McKenzie Friend within the context of the family court, for litigants in person who are representing themselves. It is for women like you who want to resolve a problem, who need a solution, settlement and fair contact arrangements for their children; who need support in understanding their options and needs in financial proceedings after a breakdown in relationships and onset of divorce.

I am known for my clear, insightful assessment of information. I understand detail in the context of a wider picture. I like to get things done and I’m someone who is not afraid to take action and scale up when needed. I can strategize and work in a balanced, fair and ethical way. I am an experienced community advocate and have worked to assist women engage with a variety of agencies including children’s services; cafcass, solicitors, family courts, mental health professionals and the police. I will bring this experience to help you in your discussions with individuals and organisations involved in your case.

If you are looking for a McKenzie Friend Service that understands your needs as a woman going through the family courts and who wants clear, effective assistance then:

PLEASE EMAIL US WITH DETAILS OF YOUR CASE AND ARRANGE A FREE HALF AN HOUR PHONE CONSULTATION TO OFFER YOU SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE info@marywomensmckenziefriend.com