A NEW Waltham Forest organisation hoping to get the borough's Asian women into politics held its first meeting on Friday.

The Asian Women's Network held the meeting at the Asian Centre in Orford Road, Walthamstow, and attracted many local people to the event.

The network hopes to provide support, advice, contacts and information to those women who wish to take a more active role within local politics.

Topics discussed at the launch included unemployment and training, child care, family dynamics and the education system.

The aims of the new Asian Women's Network are to support Asian women in local politics, raise awareness of the needs of Asian women in the borough and help to influence the policies which directly affect women.

Members also hope to establish groups in the borough that meet the needs of Asian women and organise topical debates throughout the year.

Anyone interested in attending the next meeting should call Seema Hussain on 07786 154319.