Source · Select Committees · Women and Equalities Committee
Recommendation 5
5
Paragraph: 37
We welcome the Government’s Community Champions scheme; it is a step in the right direction.
Recommendation
We welcome the Government’s Community Champions scheme; it is a step in the right direction. In order to ensure the scheme’s success, we urge the Government to liaise with BAME women and representatives of BAME women to encourage them to become Community Champions so that the scheme can successfully reach those who are marginalised.
Paragraph Reference:
37
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
We will ensure that all local areas engage minority ethnic women in their activity through this scheme. Community Champions reflect their local communities and will vary by socio- demographic factors including age, ethnicity, gender, health status and education. They will improve the local authority’s understanding of disabled and minority ethnic audiences, and may be present on local social media groups providing a trusted voice, to counter misinformation and raise awareness of local support. MHCLG is also running a series of webinars and learning opportunities so that our funded partners—and other areas—will learn from best practices on the ground. This will include sessions to engage women with external speakers. MHCLG will also closely monitor local authority progress as part of the scheme to ensure that ethnic minority women are appropriately engaged and mobilised. Through the scheme, MHCLG will seek to understand the barriers faced by some women in accessing information, testing, and any concerns around the vaccination process. This will help us shape both national and local efforts to support minority ethnic women.