OLDHAM’S leaders have stressed their commitment to ending gender-based violence amid urgent calls from women’s groups in the borough.

Najma Khalid, the founder of the Women’s CHAI Project, and Rose Ssali, the founder of SAWN, told The Oldham Times that women’s groups urgently need more resources to tackle the gender-based violence epidemic.

Cllr Arooj Shah, leader of Oldham Council, said she was “determined” the women’s taskforce she launched last month, which Rose Ssali is a member, would make the borough a place women feel safe.

She said: “There remains an appalling culture of misogyny and violence in our society – our streets should be safe places for women and girls, and the violence so many face at home is absolutely tragic and disgusting.

“Tackling this sort of injustice is why I got involved in politics, and why I recently launched a women’s taskforce. The taskforce includes women from around Oldham, and we’re determined to make our borough a place where women and girls can thrive, not feel under threat.”

Oldham Council is set to consult on a new Domestic Abuse Strategy in the coming weeks that will explore ways to further support victims and survivors of violence in the home.

Cllr Shah has said the strategy will “link up” every part of society to put an end to domestic violence.

Cllr Amanda Chadderton,the deputy leader of Oldham Council, said that as the council's lead for domestic abuse she was "distinctly aware" that many acts of gender-based violence take place in the home, adding that the council was "committed" to doing more to support anyone suffering from domestic abuse.

Oldham West and Royton MP Jim McMahon has called on the Government “to step up” and “provide the resources and leadership to ensure women and girls are safe on our streets”.

In response, a government spokesperson said: “Police forces must tackle violence against women and girls head on and we have a duty and responsibility to ask questions and hold them to account to ensure the change we need to see within the police takes place.

“We are funding a new national policing lead for VAWG (Violence Against Women and Girls) in recognition of the seriousness of these crimes and the need to drive improvements. We expect forces to take the necessary action to treat reports of these crimes with the care and sensitivity they deserve.”