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Latest news
Government's 'no recourse' scheme won't protect women
On 9 June 2009 the Home Office will launch its new scheme on No Recourse to Public Funds despite criticisms raised by service providers, immigration law practitioners, human rights organisations and others that the proposed backdated payments will not be adequate and will not meet the Government's human rights obligations to protect women from violence and destitution.
The No Recourse campaign needs your support NOW! Take action by writing a letter to Home Office Minister Alan Campbell and attaching the campaign statement.
News from the women's sector
A short film about CEDAW
Following our successful conference 'Seizing the opportunities of CEDAW', we have produced a short film to help women's groups to understand and use CEDAW. It contains excerpts from all speeches, information about CEDAW, and messages of solidarity, action and hope. View the film on YouTube.
We will also have longer versions of the film available on DVD. Contact charlotte@wrc.org.uk for more information.
Worried about the impact of the recession on your organisation?
Consultation, Tuesday 23 June, Human Rights Action Centre, London
WRC and London Civic Forum are holding an afternoon consultation event to look at the impact of the recession on women’s organisations.
Invited speakers include the Office of the Third Sector, who will speak about their initiatives and funding to help third sector organisations; Cllr Lynne Hillan, Chair of the London Councils Grants Committee, who will speak about the impact on local funding to the third sector and LVSC, who will speak about their ‘Big Squeeze’ campaign.
The consultation event will start with lunch at 12 noon.
It is free but bookings are essential – download a
booking form.
We are also surveying organisations on their experiences, opportunities and concerns about the recession. See http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=5J6ZpCNNq8HwRBuzdoovDA_3d_3d.
Online forum on women's representation in Parliament
The Speaker’s Conference was established by the House of Commons to look into the reasons why there are not more women, disabled people and people from ethnic minority communities in the House of Commons.
They've launched an online forum to get views from the public on the following questions:
- What would persuade you to represent your community?
- What is the best way to increase the representation of under-represented communities at Westminster?
- Why do people think that to succeed in public life they have to hide aspects of themselves?
It will run until 23 June 2009. Comments from the forum will be considered by the Conference as it looks to find practical ways to tackle under-representation. See more at www.parliament.uk/speakersconference.
Funding for internet projects and IT training
We know from our recent members' survey that many of you are interested in using the internet to help make a difference, but that lots of you face barriers, including funding. Nominet Trust funds "distinctive and inventive Internet-related projects that can make a difference to people, primarily in the areas of education, online safety and inclusion". Read more on their website.
We also know that affordable IT training can be an issue for some women's organisations. Happy Computers, funded by the LSC, is offering free IT user apprenticeships. It includes 9 days of classroom training, plus one-to-one coaching and support, on packages such as Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook, IT troubleshooting etc. Read more on this flyer or contact them on 020 7375 7300 or itq@happy.co.uk
Get support and recognition for your organisation
Could you work more closely with other organisations to increase your impact and extend your reach? Capacitybuilders Modernisation Fund Grants Programme is offering £1000 bursaries to pay for professional advice to explore how you can become more resilient and work more closely with others, including through collaboration or merger. From September, grants of up to £10,000 will be available to help organisations (that have gone through the bursary phase of the programme) to take the next steps towards collaboration or merger. Read more at www.modernisationfund.org.uk.
Nominate yourselves or an organisation you admire for this year's Guardian Charity Awards (past winners include Colchester Rape Crisis Line) and the Charity Times Awards (past winners include Women's Aid).
The Clore Social Leadership Programme aims to equip aspiring leaders in the third sector with competence and confidence to deliver for the future. Applications for the fellowships starting January 2010 have just opened, with an deadline of 30th June. See programme director Mary Marsh's Society Guardian article for more.
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