Health of the women's Sector (December 2011)

Many more women’s voluntary and community organisations (VCOs) reported a decrease in income than in the previous 2 years (from 40% to 60%)

Almost half of Women’s VCOs reported that they had less time for networking with other Women’s VCOs and over 40% had less resources for women.

Although 60% of Women’s VCOs have experienced a cut in funding, cuts to women’s services have levelled at about 20% year on year and in 2011 only 14% have cut staff number – the survey results suggest women’s organisations are trying to minimise the impact of the cuts by reducing staff hours and focusing on core business (at the expense of campaigning, research and networking. 

There is increasing uncertainty about the future of women’s organisations with almost half not being sure if they will be here in the next 12 months.

Whereas in the previous two years reports of actual closures of women’s VCOs and women’s services being minimal – in the last year many closures are reported in the survey.

See the full report of the findings here

December_2011_-_Health_of_the_Womens_Sector_in_the_North_East_report.doc.pdf

Women's voices for women's spaces

 Women's voices for women's spaces is a partnership project between Women's Resource Centre and NEWomen's Network to provide tools, skills, resources and support for women's VCOs to lobby policy makers about gender inequality in the North East, particularly in relation to addressing women's issues locally, funding for the women sector and the protection of women only services. The project has a focus upon making change and learning from the concrete experience of women's efforts to challenge gender inequality and get their voices heard locally.

We have delivered a road-show of local meetings involving women activists and women's organisations and groups for the purpose of identifying women’s issues and needs at a very local level. The local events covered:

• • What are the key issues for women in your local area?
• • Where are the inequalities for women and between women?
• • What needs to change?
• • What do we know about decision making structures and who to influence?
• • How can we bring about change?

The aim is to create a network of peer support for women activists and women's organisations in each local area. NEWomen's Network will provide support and space for reflection and learning from actions that come about from the local meetings. We also plan to produce a good practice guide for lobbying and influencing for especially for women activists and women's organisations.

The reports from all of the local meetings are here:

Report_from_North_Northumberland_Womens_Event_5th_July_2011.doc.pdf

Report_from_East_Durham_event_18.1.12.pdf

Report_from_Hartlepool_Womens_Event_20.11._2011.doc.pdf  

Report_from_Newcastle__Womens_Events_27.11._2011.doc.pdf

Report_from_North_Tyneside_Womens_Event_30th_June_2011.doc.pdf

Report_from_South_Tyneside_womens_events_18.11.11.pdf

Report_from_Tees_Valley_event_15.11.11.pdf   

Report_from_womens_event_on_29th_September_2011.doc.pdf