Page 12 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.5 2020-21

As part of their commitment to the UN 16 days of action to end violence against women, Glasgow
City's first team jerseys versus Spartans on Sunday will bear the name of Scottish Women's Aid
above each player's name and number.
After the match, all jerseys will be sold with the proceeds being donated to Scottish
Women's Aid.
Scottish Women's Aid is the lead domestic abuse charity in Scotland, playing a pivotal role
in co-ordinating, influencing and campaigning for effective response to domestic abuse. It works
with a network of 36 specialist women's aid groups throughout the country providing crucial
support to women, young people and children who are victims of domestic abuse.
The UN 16 days of action started on November 25th, the International Day for the
Elimination of Violence Against Women and will end on Human Rights Day on 10th December.
During this period we join hands with survivors, activists, decision makers and people from all
walks of life to shine a light on the need for funding, essential services, prevention and data to
shape better informed services.
Commenting, City's Laura Montgomery said: "Violence against women and girls is an
obstacle to achieving equality.
"During the Covid-19 pandemic, the UN reports that intimate partner violence reports
have risen across the globe with calls to helplines increasing five times in some countries.
"We ask our friends and supporters to join us and help end the devastating human rights
violation of violence against women and girls."
Dr Marsha Scott, CEO of Scottish Women's Aid, added: "COVID-19, and measures to limit
the spread of the virus, have had a huge impact on women and children experiencing domestic
abuse and on the already overstretched services that support them. Abusers have used lockdown
and other measures as a means to further isolate and control those they are abusing, at great risk
to the safety and wellbeing of women, children and young people. Responses to the pandemic
have also had detrimental impacts on access to refuge accommodation, child contact processes
and the already very fragile access to justice that survivors have.
"In this environment, we are so grateful that the sisters of Glasgow City have chosen to
raise funds for us in the 16 Days and to join our work to strengthen and protect the rights and
safety of women, children and young people, especially those experiencing domestic abuse."
The Glasgow City match jerseys from the Spartans game featuring their support for
Scottish Women's Aid are available for pre-sale now on the club's website shop at
www.glasgowcityfc.co.uk with all proceeds being donated directly to the charity. The team will be
wearing their new pink colours for this match.
Glasgow City are also delighted to announce that it has appointed Laura Montgomery as
the club's first ever Chief Executive on a full time basis. Montgomery co-founded the club 22 years
ago with Carol Anne Stewart and has run the club in her spare time with Stewart for each and
every one of these years, along with being a player for the club's first twelve years.
Glasgow City's development has been impressive and since its formation in 1998, has
grown from one senior side to now having 13 teams in total, with a blossoming girls youth
academy to compliment the club's highly successful first team.
City's actions off the field are synonymous with equality, challenging stereotypes and how
the game has been treated and reported for over 20 years. Glasgow City has been at the heart of
pushing for change in every area, led more often than not by Montgomery who is incredibly
passionate in the club's mission for championing women and girls.
On her appointment, Montgomery said: "Today is an incredibly special day for me
personally and I want to thank all my colleagues at the club for giving me this opportunity to do
what I love on a full time basis.
"There is so much we want to do as a club and I am incredibly privileged to be in a position
to truly be able to do my best to make this happen. Juggling our ambitions with my other
professional employment commitments has not been easy for all these years and I cannot wait to
be able to solely focus on our great club on a daily basis."
Issue no. 5 - 3 December 2020 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk