Merseyside Police inspires young people for this year's International Women’s Day

To celebrate International Women’s Day on Saturday 8 March, Merseyside Police is leading a week-long programme of events aimed at inspiring young women to consider a career in policing.

As part of the International Women’s Day initiative, officers and staff from across the force will visit nine all-girls high schools across the region, reaching over 3,000 students, and showcasing the wide range of opportunities available within the police force.

This year’s theme is ‘Accelerate Action for Gender Equity.’ The week offers a unique opportunity to recognise the contributions and achievements of our officers and staff across the force, and also look at how Merseyside Police can better support, inspire, and empower women in our wider communities.

Organised by the Force Outreach Team, each day representatives from departments across the force including Custody, Forensics, Investigations, Response and even one of our apprentices will share their career highlights, discuss challenges they have overcome and share advice for anyone choosing to follow in their footsteps.

Officers will also talk about the work undertaken to tackle Violence Against Women and Girls to keep women and girls safe in order to improve their confidence in Merseyside Police.

Outreach Officer Emma Hodgson said:

“Events like this that help to inspire and raise aspirations for young girls are so important. Over the course of the week, we will have engaged with over 3,000 girls.

“Our hope is to inspire the next generation of young women to choose a career in policing, whilst also using this opportunity to connect with them, forge positive relationships and ultimately improve their confidence in our ability to keep them safe.”

Zoe Thornton, T/Assistant Chief Constable, People Services, said:

“It’s important to be involved in positive events like this that give us the chance to interact with young people, and build trust and confidence with them. It’s fantastic for them to see the range of roles available beyond police officer roles too, highlighting new paths that they might wish to follow.

“Hopefully, by showcasing all the different roles on offer, we can attract a diverse range of girls who can all bring a mix of skills and perspectives to Merseyside Police in the future.”

Mr. Keen, Headteacher, Holly Lodge Girls’ College said:

“Holly Lodge Girls’ College are delighted to welcome Merseyside Police officers into school to share their career experiences and aspirations with our students.

“Holly Lodge students are ambitious, caring and aspirational for their own and others’ futures which connects fully with the messages from the dedicated, professional and inspirational women who they will meet during these sessions. We always aim to give our girls access to experiences which will inspire them and help them fulfil their ambitions and events like these fulfil our aims.”

Erin Connor, Assistant Deputy Headteacher, Holly Lodge Girls’ College said:

“It is so important to our school community to help champion events such as today. It is my hope that all of our students will be able to get something out of these assemblies and that they will be inspired about opportunities that lie ahead in their futures.”