STAFF from a women's refuge in Worcester are today addressing a meeting of leading European politicians - including culture, media and sports minister Tessa Jowell.

Experts from the Asha Women's Centre, in London Road, will give a presentation to Ms Jowell and other EU ministers at a Gender Equality Conference, at the International Conference Centre, in Birmingham.

The aim is to boost equality throughout Europe, including looking at the gender pay gap, childcare strategies and flexible working hours, and Asha staff will share their experiences working with disadvantaged women.

Asha is a female-only refuge centre helping, among others, victims of sexual abuse, domestic violence and those suffering mental health problems, drug or alcohol dependency.

Jenny Roberts, chairman of the organisation's trustees, said: "The centre is making a presentation at the meeting, hosted by Tessa Jowell.

"A number of different organisations from across the West Midlands will be there and it will particularly focus on employment and barriers to women's progress.

"As most of the women we see are very disadvantaged and often have very limited qualifications, we have something to add."

The Birmingham conference, which started yesterday, and continues today and tomorrow, is part of the UK's presidency of the European Union, which it holds from July 1 to December 31 this year.

Asha deals with many women for whom English is not their first language but courses are offered to support them and encourage them to take control of their lives. Each year, between 250 and 300 women from across the county visit the centre.