Lottie Willcox

Candidate for Women's Officer

Photo of Lottie Willcox

Key Points

  • Use focus groups to ensure women feel heard at university.
  • Encourage societies to strive for equal and safe spaces.
  • Collaborate within officers to ensure spaces are intersectional and inclusive.
  • Expand the work currently done on student safety.
  • Hold a large, impactful event for Women's History Month

I think the university has made great strides in ensuring equality in all spaces in recent years, and I am very keen to contribute to this movement. I am a deep believer in intersectionality, and I think more could be done to keep a visible and helpful group of officers who are dedicated to making this happen.

As women’s officer, I am keen to encourage the collaboration and promotion of women’s societies on campus. We have a realm of societies designed to support women through their studies and personal lives, from the feminist society to Women in Business and the Black Women’s Project. I believe that by working with fellow officers, such as the BAME, Disability and LGBTQ+ officers, that we could truly encourage the less represented at the university find their place within societies. I also want to these societies to collaborate with SUSU and each other to make sure they are heard – for example continuing the work done last March, but growing Women’s History Month into a prevalent and impactful event.

As evidenced by the massive support for the Girls Night In movement last October, spiking is a prevalent and worrisome issue in all university towns, but definitely in Southampton. Unfortunately, this seems to be a greater concern for women – even most of the male supporters of the nightclub boycott stated that it was due to concern for female friends. I played a large part in the boycott last year as part of the Consent Awareness and Sexual Health Education Society, as I spoke to news channels about the plans and organised a £500 fundraiser for local domestic violence charity Yellowdoor. I think that there are still moves to be made in tackling spiking in Southampton, and would be looking to work with societies and local nightclubs to find out what more can be done to keep the student population safe. I would also lobby to further invest in student safety infrastructure, such as increased distribution of spike testing kits, drink covers etc.

I am keen to work for everyone at this university to feel safe and represented.