Watford Borough Council's new chairman has launched a charity-driven campaign designed to tackle violence against girls and young women in the area.

Cllr Bilqees Mauthoor, who was officially appointed at the annual council meeting last night (Tuesday) at Watford Colosseum, announced plans for a consortium of local charities to work together targeting different areas of the problem.

The campaign, named #Delete, was inspired by the chairman's personal experiences of abuse and aims to deliver “powerful change” for Watford women throughout the next year.

The charities included, which are all led by female CEOs, are Dignify, Homestart Watford, Watford Women’s Centre, Watford Palace Theatre and Safer Places (Stalking Advocacy).

Watford Observer: Bilqees Mauthoor with Cllrs Asif Khan and Richard Smith. Photo credit: Zeenat MauthoorBilqees Mauthoor with Cllrs Asif Khan and Richard Smith. Photo credit: Zeenat Mauthoor

Each will focus on a different theme to combat complex roots of violence against women – which together aims to recalibrate people’s mindsets and empower victims to reach their full potential.

Cllr Mauthoor revealed she was so sick with Covid in February 2020 that she feared for her life when she found out about being selected as chairman.

She said: "When you see your life flashing before you, it made me realise that I had so much more to do in service and to inspire to make a better tomorrow.

"Violence against women and young girls is still happening and we have to do our bit to stop it, my consortium is going to be action-based and education-focused.

Watford Observer: Bilqees Mauthoor with councillors from the Labour Party. Photo credit: Zeenat MauthoorBilqees Mauthoor with councillors from the Labour Party. Photo credit: Zeenat Mauthoor

"I am ready to serve and represent this wonderful council and convert my own pain to purpose."

Watford mayor Peter Taylor added: "I am very pleased she will be new chairman of the council and I think it's really important to rise up above party politics.

"I am really looking forward to working with her in the year ahead on the causes she supports."

Cllr Mauthoor, who has been a member for over seven years, currently works as a clinical nurse manager and lives in Watford with her children. 

End Violence Against Women Coalition (EVAW) is the inspiration behind her theme as chairman, and she will spend her year in office fundraising for her five chosen charities.

EVAW is a leading coalition of specialist women’s support services, researchers, activists, survivors and NGOs who campaign Government to adopt a joined-up approach to end and prevent violence against women and girls in all its forms.