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Why women-only? The value and benefits of by women, for women services

WRC moves into the second phase of its why women? campaign with the launch of our new report entitled "Why women-only? The value and benefits of by women, for women services". The report aims to answer the question asked increasingly of many women’s organisations by funders and the public: "Why are you women-only?"

This timely report sets out why women-only services are still relevant and much in demand, despite a common misconception that they are no longer needed because we have achieved women’s equality.

A poll of 1,000 women overwhelmingly showed their support for access to women-only services:

97% stated that a woman should have the choice of accessing a women-only support service if they had been the victim of sexual assault
90% of women believed it was important to have the right to report sexual or domestic violence to a woman (such as a Police officer)
78% thought it was important to have the choice of a woman professional for counselling and personal support needs
56% of women would choose a women-only gym over a mixed gym.

The research also explores the far-reaching benefits of women-only services, the need for minority women to run their own specific services, the misunderstandings and undervaluation of women-only service provision, and the risks to the future survival of such services. We include a number of recommendations for women’s organisations, Office of the Third Sector, Equality and Human Rights Commission, Ministry of Justice, Communities and Local Government, Department of Health, Women and Equality Unit, Home Office and local and regional government.

Download Why women-only? The value and benefits of by women, for women services pdf 1MB

Budget announces new £80 million fund for local voluntary sector groups!

The Office of the Third Sector will launch an £80 million fund to provide small grants to small, community-based third sector organisations. The fund will award the £80 million over four years, using local distributors with relevant community knowledge to award specific grants. While this will provide a much-needed cash injection and support for the incredibly valuable work of the sector's smallest organisations, WRC will be keeing a close eye on where exactly this money goes, and we will, of course, be campaigning for some of this funding to be ring-fenced for women's organisations.

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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