The Women's National Commission
is the official, independent, advisory body giving the views of women to the Government. It is the only organisation of this kind in the UK. It aims to ensure that women's views are taken into account by the Government and are heard in public debate.
Appointment of Baroness Joyce Gould as Chair of WNC
Dear Colleagues,
I am delighted to announce that Baroness Joyce Gould, Interim Chair of the Women’s National Commission for the last ten months, has now been appointed permanently to the post of Chair of the Women’s National Commission by the Minister for Women and Equality, Harriet Harman. This announcement follows a recruitment exercise carried out under Office for the Commissioner of Public Appointments’ rules and managed by the Government Equalities Office.
Baroness Gould has successfully steered the Commission through a busy time not only with the Review of the WNC, but also through CEDAW, CSW and the consultation on the Minister for Women’s priorities.
I know you will join me and the rest of the Commissioners in congratulating her on her appointment. We look forward to a strong, independent future under Joyce Gould’s leadership.
Susan Green
Acting Director
A copy of the official Press Notice is available here.
Press Notice (pdf 113Kb)
Rape Crisis Centre funding - Article by WNC Chair in New Statesman
On 19 March, Harriet Harman, Minister for Women and Equality, announced a cross-departmental £1million emergency fund to put a brake on the closure of more Rape Crisis Centres.
End Violence Against Women, Rape Crisis and others have warmly welcome this announcement. There is widespread concern about this issue and the New Statesman is currently running a month-long campaign to secure proper funding for Rape Crisis Centres. You can access WNC Chair, Joyce Gould's article, along with other articles from the violence sector at the New Statesman Website.
Map of Gaps, a report published by the End Violence Against Women Campaign and the Equality and Human Rights Commission last year, showed that most women across the UK don't have access to a Rape Crisis Centre. Moreover, a third of local authorities have no specialised services at all (including domestic violence refuges). A recent report (executive summary) by the Women's Resource Centre and Rape Crisis England and Wales shows that there are currently just 38 affiliated centres. Nine centres have closed in the last five years and eight centres have no secure funding for 2008-09. This is a crucial support service, particularly for women with historic experiences of sexual violence (such as childhood sexual abuse). A briefing which clearly sets out the difference between Rape Crisis Centres and Sexual Assault Referral Centres can be downloaded here Rape Crisis Centres and SARCS.
International Women’s Day
As part of International Women’s Day, our Interim Chair, Baroness Joyce Gould, spoke at a House of Lords debate on Thursday 6 March 2008. The Government’s annual International Women’s Day debates in the House of Lords and House of Commons give parliamentarians in both Houses the opportunity to debate the issues that are central to the lives and well-being of women in the United Kingdom and the rest of the world. The titles of this year’s debates were:
- House of Commons - "Women's Representation in Democracy" (Link to transcript)
- House of Lords - "To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of Government policy on the lives of women and girls, and their priorities for the future."(Link to transcript)
Women’s Organisations in the UK 2008
We are delighted to inform you that the WNC’s Women’s Organisations in the United Kingdom 2008 directory is now available. There are three versions, alphabetical, regional and by main interest.
These are available from the WNC Publications page
WNC Website Survey
We want to improve the content and style of our website so it is even more interesting and informative for you. We are currently planning a redesign of the site, we value the opinions of all our visitors and would appreciate receiving your feedback on the current WNC website. Please could you find a few minutes to take part in this short survey by emailing your responses to the questions below, to wnc@communities.gsi.gov.uk.
- What changes would you like to see in the content of the WNC website?
- What changes would you like to see in the format of a future WNC website?
- What information could WNC provide on it’s website, that would be useful for your organisation?
Map of Gaps: the postcode lottery of violence against women support services
EVAW and the new Equality and Human Rights Commission, has published a report, Map of Gaps, showing graphically, for the first time, the postcode lottery of violence against women support services. To find out more go to the EVAW website.Report on the WNC Review
Early last year, following the appointment of our Chair, Baroness Prosser as Deputy Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, which corresponded with several WNC Commissioners ending their terms of office, Ministers decided the time was right to conduct a light touch review of the Women’s National Commission.
The review took place over several months in the spring, and was chaired by Rita Donaghy (chair of ACAS) with support from Women and Equality Unit officials. Reviews of this nature are normal practice and in line with Chapter 9 of the Cabinet Office guidance "Public Bodies: A Guide for Departments". The review involved input from WNC commissioners past and present, WNC staff, a wide range of stakeholders, partners, and Government officials to consider various aspects and activities of the WNC
The full report can be accessed here WNC Light Touch Review Report (Pdf 512 Kb).
Current work of the WNC includes;
- International
- Iraqi Women's Internship Programme
- Migration and Asylum
- Muslim Women
- Violence Against Women
THE WNC, AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL UK AND THE TUC JOIN IN PARTNERSHIP TO HELP END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN. LEND YOUR SUPPORT TO THE CAMPAIGN.
Internships and Volunteering at WNC
The WNC often has interns who assist at our London office. We offer interns the opportunity to come and learn more about what we do, internships usually last between one to six months. If you are interested in finding out more, please fill in the application form (WNC Internship application form MS Word 38Kb) and return to wnc@communities.gsi.gov.uk
Ever wondered how sex inequality affects your life? Now's your chance to find out.
Visit www.gender-agenda.co.uk and take the EOC's online MOT.
Contact us
| Women's
National Commission Zone 4/G9 Eland House Bressenden Place London SW1E 5DU |
Phone:
020 7944 0585 Fax: 020 7944 0583 E-mail: wnc@communities.gsi.gov.uk |
