8 March 2022: International Women’s Day

To mark International Women’s Day, Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones praises inspiring female leaders, gives her support to female progression and stands up for female victims.

It is a huge honour to be elected as the first female Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and the first female leader of Portsmouth City Council. Being a role model to girls growing up across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight is something I am proud to do. Today I am launching a mentoring programme with female members of my Youth Commission, to provide guidance and support in their progression and chosen career pathways.

We have many capable female leaders across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight including the Chief Constable, Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Chief Crown Prosecutor, Chief Executive of Hampshire County Council and the Chief Executive of Queen Alexandra hospital in Cosham, to name just a few. These inspiring female leaders are ensuring women’s voices are heard and are shaping and influencing public services and policies for the benefit of all our communities.

Hampshire Constabulary is led by a female leader, the county’s first female Chief Constable, Olivia Pinkney. As well as Olivia, Hampshire Constabulary is led by two Assistant Chief Constables (ACC); ACC Lucy Hutson who leads local implementation of the national police officer recruitment programme, and Catherine Akehurst who will shortly be heading up joint operations across Hampshire and Thames Valley. Female progression hasn’t just been limited to the Hampshire borders either, with Deputy Chief Constable Maggie Blythe from Hampshire Constabulary being selected by the National Police Chiefs Council to lead the national police strategy for Violence Against Women and Girls. Once a senior officer at Hampshire Constabulary, Commander Dr. Alison Heydari is now the most senior black female police officer in the UK and working in the Metropolitan Police . Females in senior roles are inspiring young girls to go into policing.

I am proud to be the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC) joint national Victims lead, working with the Government to tackle Violence Against Women and Girls. I am determined that our streets and homes become safe places for all women and girls and I will continue to work with the Government, victims groups and wider partners to make a real and lasting difference for victims to thrive and succeed in society and fulfil their full potential as female leaders.