The fledgling organisation Brighton Women’s Voices has launched a consultation seeking the views of Brighton women.

The idea of Brighton Women’s Voices came from a meeting I hosted on International Women’s Day this year, bringing together women and women's organisations from across Brighton & Hove.

We talked about the lack of a citywide platform or network of women’s services and groups – and went on to propose setting one up!

An interim steering group has met since and we’re keen to hear how the organisation could make a difference and best respond to the ideas and needs of women in the city.

Please do let us know what you think via the consultation survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/X9NNKLL.

The deadline for completed surveys is next week - 18th October at 5pm.

Brighton Women’s Voices’ first project was Spot the Sexism (during the month of June this year), when we asked people to share their experiences of sexism in the media.

A group of Brighton women then joined me to hand a report on media sexism to Minister Ed Vaizey.

We’ll be following up this work on media sexism with an event at the Sallis Benney theatre on 5th December.

This will feature music, speakers, comedy and poetry - including Lucy Holmes from the No More Page 3 campaign, Brighton singer Sophie Pointer, stand-up comedian and political activist Kate Smurthwaite and poet Sabrina Mahfouz – all in the name of highlighting links between media sexism and the attitudes that underpin violence and discrimination against women and girls.

More info on the 5^th December event to follow but keep the date free for now!