Why women-only organisations must be supported by government
At the present time, the unique contribution of women’s organisations to the welfare of
society is under threat. The worsening funding situation is one cause. The other is a
lack of political will to continue to support the women’s sector, either out of a mistaken
belief that women are now equal to men and therefore do not require special treatment,
or from a mistaken reading of s 75 to the effect that women and men have to be treated
the same in all respects.
Funding for women’s organisations is a government commitment, one reinforced by the
UK government’s commitment to ensure the full implementation of the Convention on
the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). In the final
report of the CEDAW Committee’s review of the UK government in July 2008, the
Committee noted the negative impact on funding due to changes in the allocation of
Government funding ‘from needs-based to “commissioning” frameworks’ and (para 26)
urged the provision of ‘increased and sustained funding to non-governmental
organisations and other civil society groups involved in the area of women’s rights.’
This short briefing is designed to address two inter-related issues: firstly, why a ‘gender
neutral’ approach to policy making discriminates against women and secondly, why
government must continue to support women-only organisations.
Gender neutrality and gender equality
Identical treatment of women and men can be discriminatory because of the structural
inequalities experienced by women. The application of a ‘neutral’ policy can have the
outcome of disadvantaging women. The need to ensure an equality of outcome and not
simply equality of opportunity has also been addressed by the CEDAW Committee. In
para 17 the Committee noted ‘with concern…that varying levels of public understanding
of the concept of substantive equality have resulted in the promotion of equality of
opportunity and of same treatment only, as well as of gender-neutrality ’. To remedy
this, the Committee called for the implementation of’ awareness-raising and education
campaigns, particularly in the public sector and across all branches of Government, to
broaden understanding of the provisions of the Convention and of the content and
meaning of substantive equality that goes beyond equality of opportunity and same
treatment.’ The outcome should be ‘the practical realisation of the principle of equality
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between women and men…and not solely towards the achievement of equality of
opportunity’ (para 18).
In concrete terms this could mean additional resources to a women-only organisation
like Women’s Aid, because of the recognition that men are the perpetrators of violence
in intimate relations over 90% of the time. It also provides a rationale for the support of
women’s centres providing services to women in disadvantaged communities, and for
the support of women’s groups providing lobbying and advocacy services to improve
policy making on women’s issues.
Why women-only
Research from the Women’s Resource Centre, London (Why Women: Women’s
Resource Centre, March 2006) and from the WCRP Education Report (2008) has
shown that women’s organisations transform women’s lives and society and that the
key features of women’s organisations that make them effective include the provision of
women-only services, a focus on empowerment and a high level of self-help and service
user involvement. Women’s organisations often work at grass roots level with the most
marginalised people in society and are usually established because a need is identified
where mainstream services are inappropriate or non-existent. They have proved to be
powerful agents for social change – adding considerable value to the government’s
equality agenda and their combat poverty agenda by reaching women and their families
who would be otherwise inaccessible to government agencies.
The majority of women’s organisations deliver direct services to women in the areas of
safe accommodation, counselling, outreach, advice, education, training, childcare. Many
operate as women’s centres, offering a variety of services under one roof. Other
organisations are umbrella organisations providing services to other women’s
organisations, particularly development support, information, infrastructural support,
advocacy, information and networking opportunities. There are also small self-help
community groups.
The significant contribution made by women’s centres in marginalised and deprived
communities in NI has been demonstrated and acknowledged. Support for individual
women in a safe women only environment has a direct and effective impact on children,
families and local communities. Women only organisations have proved themselves as
lasting and strong pillars of support in disadvantaged communities. The women only
nature of the centres has been the most important element in their growth and
development. This approach has developed unique models to combat social exclusion,
tackle social and economic deprivation and alleviate the consequences of poverty. The
women only approach has proved itself to be successful.
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Access to education and training plays an invaluable role in enabling marginalised
groups of women to attain the qualifications necessary for economic independence and
empowerment. Through access to women’s organisations, women are provided with a
support network that encourages them to achieve despite often very difficult personal
circumstances. Women’s organisations provide access to training for some of the most
vulnerable groups in society, those with few English language skills, survivors of
childhood sexual abuse or domestic violence,women with mental health needs, etc.
Many who access the services of a women’s organisation go on to become volunteers.
Volunteering is often a gateway to employment, either in the organisation, or elsewhere.
Through the work of the women’s voluntary and community sector women’s lives can be
transformed
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They are free from violence and abuse.
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They have increased confidence and improved mental health.
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They are helped to build their lives and to get out of poverty through accessing
appropriate services and education and training.
The impact of women’s organisations is not just on the individual women. They also
impact on the wider community
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Women are supported as parents
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Women are able to transfer their skills back into their homes
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Women are empowered to become more active and engaged within their
communities.
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Women are encouraged to contribute to public and political arenas
The end result is about changing society for the better.
Women’s organisations also actively engage with government in a variety of ways, from
the strategic to the local. They often work on issues that are not often discussed in the
public arena, raising awareness of issues affecting women that would not otherwise be
discussed. In addition, many women who work in local areas are heavily involved in
helping to develop local community plans and strategies.
The ‘added value’ of the women’s voluntary and community sector
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Provision of women-only space
Many have testified to the way women behave differently in a women-only space
compared to a mixed space. This includes expressing themselves more freely or
confidently and being comfortable to speak about their needs and experiences. This
‘safe space’ enables women to meet, discuss, share, gain confidence, plan and then
take that work out to the mainstream. Many speak about the importance of interacting
with others who have had the same experience as themselves. For example, women
who have suffered domestic violence or who have failed in terms of education have
been helped to see that this is not their individual fault and are helped to realise that if
other women can improve their situation in life, then they can too.
Focus on empowerment and independence
Empowerment of women is achieved by helping them to regain control over their lives,
by equipping them with information so they can learn about the options available to
them and make informed decisions appropriate to their circumstances. By accessing
services women develop confidence and by developing support networks women are
able to do more than passively receive services, and are able to develop some control
over their lives through having a say in service provision, or through being supported to
volunteer.
High level of service user involvement
Service users of organisations are involved in a wide range of functions, through
involvement in management committees, as members of the organisations as paid
employees and volunteers. Peer-support and self-help are crucial elements of serviceuser involvement within organisations and women testify to their desire to give
something back to the organisations that have helped them, and to having been
inspired by other women they have met to seek a career for themselves within the
women’s sector.
Integrated, one-stop-shop services
Women’s organisations are characterised by having a holistic approach to supporting
women’s needs, so many organisations do much more than, for example, provide
education and training. They might provide free child-care, and support on issues
ranging from domestic violence and rape crisis, benefits information, job search support
and run support groups.
Needs-based approach
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Organisations respond quickly to the needs of their service users and tailor their
activities accordingly. For example, women’s centres are now offering classes to
migrant women, to those with mental health needs, and to young mothers, depending
on the current needs of their communities.
Reaching ‘hard to reach’ women
The ways in which women’s organisations work, through providing women-only space,
with strong connections between service users and staff and needs-based services,
means that they often work with women who are not accessing other services. The
provision of a crèche is important in ensuring that women with small children are not
excluded from education. Those who work with young women ‘written off by the system’
have reported that they do not have problems with young women perceived to be
disruptive because their woman-centred, non-judgemental approach means that the
young women feel comfortable and receptive to those working with them.
The welcoming atmosphere of women’s centres has been testified by countless users. It
creates a sense of ownership and belonging, rather than a staff and client relationship.
Women who have been failed by the education system, who have been intimidated by
the atmosphere in further education colleges have spoken warmly of the tea and
biscuits and small group approach of women’s centres which has helped them to feel at
ease and reduced the anxiety of returning to education. These factors - the provision of
women’s only space and the high level of user involvement - have helped to make
women’s organisations highly effective in meeting women’s needs.
Margaret Ward
October 2008
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