The campaigner offering her voice to end violence against women and girls

Gemma Aitchson: Founder of YES MATTERS UK

For 10 years Gemma has fought to prevent violence against women and girls. A single mother to a child with additional needs, Gemma’s passion has taken her from a council estate in Bolton to Parliament.

After the rape and murder of her 16 year old sister Sasha Marden in 2013, Gemma discovered that Sasha’s case was not an isolated one and could have been prevented.  Gemma went on to found YES Matters UK which provides victim rehabilitation services to children and young people, victims of sexual assault.

Every day for 10 years she has raised awareness and worked for violence against women and girls to become a thing of the past. She doesn’t believe it’s inevitable and protests to change systems.

Gemma has presented research on the harm of gender stereotypes to boys and girls to the European Parliament, and the impact of pornography to Amnesty International. She has shaped the Parliamentary APPG on Pornography Regulation and worked on the child sexual exploitation prevention policy.

Her research was also used to take the CPS to judicial review on their failure to convict rape. She campaigns for girls in Afghanistan, women in the Kakuma camp and undertakes projects with girls in Bradford.

“Best speaker on violence against women and girls by a mile. She had the entire room silenced by the power of her words. People need to hear her and women and girls have a wonderful advocate in her.” 

Gemma will be sharing her story at the Inspiring Women Awards Lunch 17/05/2024.