By Mia Turnbull
Women’s charities are on the rise, according to Charity Digital magazine. In the UK alone there are an estimated 7,400 charities dedicated to women, out of 171,000 registered charities. Statistics show a huge surge in demand for charities that focus on anything from women in the criminal justice system, mental health support, period poverty, domestic abuse and so much more.
Nine in ten charities helping women and girls are reporting a rising demand for their services – but why is it so important?
One such charity is Advance, a domestic abuse charity that also focuses on women in the criminal justice system. It works with women in situations where they are struggling with things like addiction, domestic abuse, life after prison and childhood trauma. The charity helps them get back on their feet as well as campaigning for equality for women.
Advance has centres across London, Kent, Hampshire, Essex, Berkshire, and Hertfordshire. It provides a safe space where clients can meet with support advocates in a safe space to get individualised support.
“Our vision is a world where women and girls lead safe, just and equal lives. Our expertise lies in decades of providing specialist support by women and for women and girls, to achieve safety, justice and equality at the intersection of domestic abuse and the criminal justice system,” the Advance website says.
Commitment to halve violence against women
The UK Government’s official Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy, published in December 2025, includes the Labour Party’s commitment to halve violence against women and girls within a decade, which charities in the women’s rights sector see as long overdue.
What is it like to work for an organising which campaigns for the rights of women? These charities want to see a reduction in gender inequality and misogyny, and more investment in services such as those that provide better access to criminal justice assistance, housing and mental health services.
Amazingly, apart from some trustees, all the employees and the CEO of Advance are women – meaning unlike most workplaces it is run by women, for women. CEO Liz Mack says: “Advance delivers evidence-based services shaped by those with lived experience partnering with specialist groups to support women and girls effectively.”
Some of the women who work or volunteer with the charity have lived experienced of the issues it helps women with. It also deal with intersectional issues such as race, religion, age, disability, gender and LGBTQ+. This helps them fully meet diverse needs; there is not a one size fits all approach.
Phoebe Lill, 35, is Advance’s Policy and Campaigns Manager. “Working at a women’s charity is gratifying and challenging in equal measure. The significance of the challenges faced by the women we support misogyny, abuse violence, abuse and systemic inequality keep me motivated to make change in society.”
Phoebe Lill. Photo by Mia Turnbull
She adds that it can get frustrating in terms of progress, but adds that “the strength of the women around me, both colleagues and women we support is the thing that keeps me going when it gets tough”.
Tracie Couper, Communications Officer, 56, says: “After many years working in a mixed-gender environment, working in an all- women charity took a bit of getting used to. However, there are a lot of pluses, for example there is a lot of understanding when it comes like flexibility around childcare and things that typically fall on mums, and there is a lot of respect women to women and camaraderie.”
So why is it important?
The reason why it’s important is that vulnerable, disadvantaged women who may slip through the cracks in the social support network are getting help from people who care, and who may have their own lived experience of abusive relationships or prison.
For example, female ex-offenders sometimes struggle to get back on their feet because it is hard for them to find a job due to their criminal record, and a shortage of affordable housing.
Advance helps women get their lives back on track when there may few other sources of support.
Tracie Couper. Photo by Mia Turnbull
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