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FAQsWhat are women’s organisations? Why a campaign about women’s organisations? What does this campaign want to change? I’d like to work for a women’s organisation. Where can I find information about jobs? I work for a women’s organisation and would like help with fundraising. What does the Women’s Resource Centre do? Can I become a member of the WRC? I’m new to London and would like to find out about women’s organisations I could volunteer for. How many women’s organisations are there in the UK? What are women’s organisations?Voluntary and community organisations are sometimes referred to as charities, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) or community groups. All voluntary and community organisations are not-for-profit and exist to improve the lives of individuals and families and develop local communities. Some organisations work across the UK and also in other countries.
Women’s organisations are voluntary and community groups which are run by women, for women. Most people aren’t aware of what women’s organisations do or why they are needed. Yet without women’s organisations, like refuges, training and campaigning organisations, the world would be a much poorer place.
There are thousands of women’s organisations throughout the UK providing essential, high-quality services that are tailored to meet women’s needs. They provide services to hundreds of thousands of women every year - many of whom are the most forgotten and isolated women in our society and whose needs are often not met by government services or by other charities. Women’s organisations enable them to transform their lives.
Our Find an Organisation database allows you to look for organisations by field of work or location and provides a good overview of the scope and nature of the women’s voluntary and community sector.
Why a campaign about women’s organisations?Women’s organisations have traditionally always been under-valued and under-resourced. However, things are changing for the worse. We are seeing the closure of more and more women’s organisations, many with decades of experience. Why? Not because of the lack of need, but because of the lack of sustainable investment.
Women fought hard for many of the things we take for granted, like the right to vote, the right to equal pay and laws making violence against women a criminal offence. But there is still a long way to go – women earn 13% less than men doing the same job, thousands of women are discriminated against at work because they are women or are pregnant, two women are killed every week by a partner or ex-partner, one in four women will experience rape or sexual assault in her lifetime. Click here to see more statistics about women.
We are concerned that without strong women’s organisations, the many advances needed to ensure equality between women and men may not happen.
What does this campaign want to change?We are calling for funders, including government, local authorities and charitable trusts, to recognise the value of women’s organisations and provide more secure and sustainable funding. The campaign will involve a programme of research activities, publications, resources and lobbying throughout 2006. Check the latest news section to find out how the campaign is developing.
How can I help?This campaign is supported by individual women and men, students, women’s organisations, voluntary and community groups, politicians, trade unions, funders and many others because stopping discrimination, violence and inequality against women helps everyone in society.
There are many easy ways you can support the why women? campaign.
I’d like to work for a women’s organisation. Where can I find information about jobs?Check out the Women’s Resource Centre Jobs and Volunteering page. It has vacancies for all types of positions in women’s and other voluntary and community organisations, including any vacancies at WRC. It also has useful information on what working in the voluntary sector is like and what opportunities there are.
I work for a women’s organisation and would like help with fundraising. Where can I go for help?Raising funds to maintain services and keep an organisation going is the one of the key issues facing women’s organisations. The pressure of constantly having to find money can become very stressful. Changes to voluntary and community sector funding have meant that many women’s organisations are finding it even harder to fit with funding criteria and many important women’s organisations have closed, despite the ongoing demand for their services.
WRC's Development Team provides training and one-to-one support on fundraising strategies, income generation and procurement amongst other things.
What does the Women’s Resource Centre do?WRC provides information, events, training and one-to-one support to voluntary and community organisations who work to improve the status of women. We also advocate on behalf of women’s organisations to funders and policy decision makers to ensure that the needs and aspirations of women and women’s organisations are taken into account. By helping our members to build and maintain strong organisations, we aim to ensure a sustainable, effective, diverse and professional women’s voluntary and community sector. Visit WRC's website for more information about what we do and the women’s voluntary and community sector.
Can I become a member of WRC?WRC members are entitled to free or heavily subsidised training, events, one-to-one support and other benefits. Membership is open to any not-for-profit organisation that is working to improve the status of women and/or who agrees with our aims. Annual membership is on a sliding scale from £5 - £30. For more information about joining WRC, visit WRC's Members page.
I’m new to London and would like to find out about women’s organisations I could volunteer for.You could visit WRC's Jobs and Volunteering page to find out about volunteering (including intern opportunities) and Board of Trustee opportunities at WRC and many other organisations. Volunteers and Board of Trustee members make a huge and invaluable contribution to women’s organisations. Having a strong and effective Board of Trustees is often cited as one of the key factors in ensuring the sustainability and development of an organisation.
How many women’s organisations are there in the UK?It is unknown how many women’s organisations exist throughout the UK although it is estimated to be over 15,000. A key word search of ‘women’ on the Guidestar website identified over 11,000 registered charities in England and Wales alone.
Got a question? Contact us |
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The why women? campaign is part of the Women's Resource Centre's work to support the women's voluntary and community sector. |
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