The Great Debate UK

International Women’s Day – a chance to bring about positive change

– Ellie Bird is a Detective Superintendent with British Transport Police and Vice President of the British Association for Women in Policing. Throughout her 26 years service Ellie has worked in uniform, detective and headquarters roles, including as Operations Superintendent on London Underground with responsibility for policing major events such as the Tour de France and command for major incidents. Ellie has experience in policing child abuse and domestic violence investigations as well as public protection and serious crime. The opinions expressed are her own. –

As I read the newspaper today, I am reminded of the fact that thousands of women burn to death every year in domestic violence

Through the nature of my work, my personal travels and my charity ventures around the world I have been exposed to many different issues affecting women and the challenges they face and endure in their day-to-day lives.

For me, the significance of International Women’s Day is a chance to reflect on my own experiences, to consider what I would do faced with the problems many women are exposed to today and given the opportunity and responsibility, what would I do to try and help to bring about positive change. It also affords me the opportunity to encourage others to learn about and consider these issues and for me to ask what legacy I would wish to leave given the chance to make a difference.