Taking part in the 100 Women Challenge

Professor Liz Kelly will be taking part in a series of debates and discussions at the BBC on 16 October.

Date: 29 September 2017

Professor Liz Kelly, Director of the Child and Woman Abuse Studies Unit (CWASU), has been announced as part of the BBC’s 100 Women Challenge.

Professor Kelly was selected to form part of the discussion after being interviewed about her work on violence against women, especially women’s experiences in public space and her work on self-defence.

She said: “At CWASU we have always taken seriously the intimate intrusions so many women experience in public space, this everyday routine abuse means women are rarely free to experience themselves as safe.

“I am excited to be in conversation with women from other continents to discuss how we can change this.”

Professor Kelly will be taking part in a series of debates and discussions, on 16 October, to explore the concept of safety, especially for women, in public spaces, what changes are needed in order for public space to be a less hostile place for women, and the strategies and campaigns from around the globe.

Taken from across all spheres of modern life, from engineering to the creative industries, from sport to business, the selected women represent the global wealth of female talent. But in a new twist the list, launched on 28 September, is only part of the story.

The list has been inspired by the BBC 100 Women Challenge. New for 2017 this is a unique celebration of female talent which sees four teams of women tasked with finding solutions to everyday problems currently affecting female lives across the globe. They will be split into four teams; Glass ceiling (#Teamlead), female illiteracy (#Teamread), street harassment (#Teamgo) and sexism in sport (#Teamplay). Professor Kelly will be part of #Teamgo.

From 2-6 October, women based in Silicon Valley will tackle the glass ceiling; from 9-13 October, the Delhi team are looking at female illiteracy; from 16-20 October, safety on public transport will be the focus for the London and Nairobi team; and finally from 23-27 October, women in Rio will consider sexism in sport.

Other women taking part in the challenge include:

  • Adriana Behar, General Manager of Sport Planning for the Brazilian Olympic Committee
  • Peggy Annette Whitson, astronaut
  • Susi Pudjiastuti, politician and entrepreneur
  • Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of Liberia

A full list of the 100 women can be viewed on the BBC website.

Find out more about studying Woman and Child Abuse MA at London Met.