Cllr Rabina Khan has spent the last full week of the mayoral campaign explaining that standing for election as Mayor of Tower Hamlets is a big step for her – but it could be a step forward for women across the whole borough. Cllr Khan – known to the many residents she’s helped over the last four years simply as “Rabina” – brought together her concerns about the need to protect residents from the worst effects of national austerity policies with her determination to fight for equality.
Rabina pointed out, “Twice as many women have lost public sector jobs as men in the after five years of cuts. Female unemployment is not just some side problem: it’s something that is being prolonged and deepened by this Tory Government, with Labour offering little alternative. That’s why we in Tower Hamlets need to work doubly hard to ensure that everyone who is facing unemployment gets the helping hand they need.” And if that “helping hand” is dealing with discrimination and unfairness, that’s what needs to be done.
As Mayor, Cllr Khan would open a new Women’s Employment Hub to offer advice, opportunities and training to women who need support in the labour market, expanding current provision and bringing services under one roof. The new hub would be accessible for all residents and part of an overall strategy that promises to create 20,000 sustainable jobs, 8,000 Living Wage apprenticeships and train 14,000 residents in the coming years. Rabina is the only mayoral candidate pledging as clear a solution to the gender gap in employment.
“Nearly half the women in the borough who are of working age are not in paid work,” explained Rabina – but it’s not just about training. Another important factor in women who want a job being able to work is whether they can find affordable and flexible childcare. A mother, worker and councillor herself, Cllr Khan well understands what juggling childcare is like. She has pledged to provide more space and flexibility in childcare in the borough, and to ensure that council planning is used to create additional places.
“This election’s not about putting one woman in the hot seat,” confirmed Rabina, “it’s about making sure all women have access to the best seats in the house! Let’s go for it!”
•To find out more about Cllr Rabina Khan’s policies, go to: www.rabina4mayor.com
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Other candidates for Mayor are: Elaine Bagshaw (Liberal Democrats), John Biggs (Labour), Andy Erlam (Red Flag – Anti-Corruption), John Foster (Green Party), Peter Golds (The Conservative Party Candidate), Vanessa Hudson (Animal Welfare Party), Hafiz Kadir (Independent), Nicholas McQueen (UK Independence Party [UKIP]), Md Motiur Rahman (Independent).