Unique Selling Point

The WNC is the official independent advisory body established to provide a bridge between women's organisations and the UK Government. It provides a route for women's organisations to communicate effectively to Government, but also provides an easier way for Government to disseminate messages to and consult with, women's organisations.

Stakeholders

Accessibility

Equality and Diversity

Respect

Empowerment

OBJECTIVE

ACTIVITY

COST/WHO/

TIME

ESSENTIAL/ DESIRABLE/

NON-ESSENTIAL

SUCCESS

INDICATORS

1) Bring together the views of women from around the UK on international human rights issues, and to contribute to government policy

Continue to coordinate and disseminate e-updates for the European and International Network.

Cost:

None allocated

Staff resources

Staff:

Shelly

Essential

International e-updates are disseminated regularly.

Ensuring international work website pages are always as up to date as possible.

Cost:

None allocated

Staff resources

Staff:

Shelly

Essential

Website remains up-to-date with recent international work and news updates.

Agreeing a Commissioner to lead on WNC's international work from the current pool of Commissioners

Cost:

None allocated

Staff resources

Staff:

Shelly

Essential

Board agree lead Commissioners.

WNC Chair - B Hinds leads on 1325, B King leads on Europe. Commissioner to lead on UN to be identified.

Developing a suitable work plan, to include engagement with issues at EU and Commonwealth level (e.g. ensuring women's issues are taken to the Commonwealth Heads of Governments Meetings) Identify e-network members with a specific interest in these areas.

Cost:

None allocated

Staff resources

Staff:

Shelly

Desirable

The WNC to decide level of engagement on issues at EU and Commonwealth level.

E-network will be contacted and will input into issues.

2) Build capacity to actively engage with regional and international instruments

CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women)

Final incorporation of partner updates in CEDAW Report

Cost:

None allocated

Staff resources

Staff:

Shelly and Daisy

Essential

CEDAW Shadow report will reflect as much as possible, the concerns and topics raised by WNC partners, as far as possible.

Submission of WNC Shadow CEDAW Report 14 April 2008

Cost:

None allocated

Staff resources

Staff:

Shelly and Daisy

Essential

CEDAW report is submitted to UN by deadline and will be a useful tool for critiquing the Government submission to CEDAW.

Update to partners on progress of CEDAW Report and the final report is published and disseminated to all partners and stakeholders.

Cost:

None allocated

Staff resources

Staff:

Shelly

Essential

Partners will be sent final report and updated on lead up to examination in July 08.

Representing the WNC at the CEDAW session and actively engaging with the CEDAW Committee at the UK's examination.

Cost:

£6,000

Staff resources

Staff:

Shelly

Essential

Chair and Director to attend CEDAW training and examination in July 08, and proactively engage in the process and with the CEDAW Committee, as per recommended advice.

CSW (Commission on the Status of Women)

Facilitate post-CSW event looking at WNC side event and focussing on improvements and

Cost:

£100

Staff resources

Staff:

Shelly, Chair and Director

May 2008

CSW attendees, WNC partners and commissioners and other WNC staff will have the opportunity to be briefed on WNC CSW attendance and use experience to build on CSW for the forthcoming year

Ensuring NGOs/Partners and Commissioners are kept up to date with CSW activities by sending regular email updates from information posted on the UN's DAW website.

Cost:

None allocated

Staff resources

Staff:

Shelly

Essential

Partners, WNC contacts and commissioners will be updated on WNC's involvement in CSW, aware of the main themes and important milestones.

Establishing a list of UK NGO representatives going to New York to ensure that NGOs are kept in the loop about CSW 53 activities and so that the Government delegation and UKMis (UK Mission to the United Nations) will know which UK NGOs will be in New York.

Cost:

None allocated

Staff resources

Staff:

Shelly

Essential

WNC will be a reliable and comprehensive source of information for NGOs and Government delegation attendees at CEDAW and will have a good grasp of other UK NGO activities at the event

Facilitate a pre-CSW panel led meeting primarily for those attending for the first time and to meet with the UK Government delegation to discuss the UK's priorities for CSW 53.

Cost:

£100

Staff resources

Staff:

Shelly, Chair and Director

January 09

Essential

The WNC will co-host and help organise a pre-CSW event which will help new attendees understand more about the process and the CSW themes, as well as facilitating information sharing and networking.

In consultation with WNC partners submitting a written statement to CSW on the priority theme for that session/ year.

Cost:

None allocated

Staff resources

Staff:

Shelly, Chair and Director

From Oct 08

Essential

The WNC statement on the CSW annual theme will reflect partners' views and will be submitted in time for current CSW session.

Sending WNC representatives to attend CSW 53 to act as liaison between the UK Government delegation and NGOs whilst in New York

Cost:

£6,000

Staff resources

Staff:

Chair and Director

Essential

The WNC will facilitate communication between NGOs and UK Government delegation.

Supporting and promoting side events being held during CSW by UK NGOs including the WNC's event.

Cost:

No extra

Staff resources

Staff:

Shelly Dowrich, Chair and Director

Desirable

Staff to share information on events widely.

WNC representatives to provide support to partners at CSW 53.

Chair may offer to chair partners' events.

Producing ECOSOC (UN's Economic and Social Council) Quadrennial Report and submitting to the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA)

Cost:

None allocated

Staff resources

Staff:

Shelly Dowrich,

May 2008

Essential

A new, high-level report on WNC activity at UN level is produced and sent to the UN by 1 May 2008.

UN Resolution 1325

Attending quarterly meetings of the APPG (All Party Parliamentary Group) on 1325 and the sub-groups on Gender Training, Iraq, Afghanistan and Widowhood and circulating minutes to Commissioners.

Cost:

None allocated

Staff resources

Staff:

Shelly Dowrich

Essential

Attends APPG on 1325 and sub groups as appropriate.

In consultation with relevant stakeholders and funding permitting, developing a database of UK organisations/ individuals working on 1325.

Cost:

None allocated

Staff resources

Staff:

Shelly Dowrich

Summer 2008

Desirable

Database usage and access agreed with stakeholders and resources allocated.

Database compiled, with all relevant information included.

Exploring the feasibility of repeating the IWIP (Iraqi Women's Internship Programme) as an example of good practice which could be highlighted in the UK National Action Plan on 1325.

Cost:

None so far. Original programme cost just under £200,000 so full funding would need to be sought from FCO/DfID/British Council etc.

Potentially considerable Staff resources

Staff:

Shelly and Mutanser initially

By autumn 2008

Desirable

Views of Commissioners obtained, given the substantial commitment this would involve,

If agreed, following initial contacts with FCO, DfID and BC, a Business Plan is produced and agreed with Chair and Commissioners, and submitted to relevant parties for consideration.

APPG on 1325 kept fully informed and involved where possible.

Proposal approved, funding received and work begins.

BpfA (Beijing Platform for Action)

Actively engaging in relevant BpfA activities including on-line consultations as and when required

Cost:

None allocated

Staff resources

Staff:

Shelly Dowrich

WNC Report for ECOSOC drafted and presented to UN by 1 May 2008 deadline.

UN website monitored for ongoing activity and as highlighted, consideration given to appropriateness of WNC involvement, as resources allow.

3) Build effective sustainable relationships with relevant government players

Facilitating regular meetings between Ministers, government officials and e-Network members on agreed women's human rights issues i.e. build on and maintain close working relationships with officials in DfID, FCO (UKMis during CSW), GEO (sponsoring body) and MoD.

Cost:

None allocated

Staff resources

Staff:

Shelly Dowrich

Ongoing

Essential

As issues arise, contact facilitated between key NGOs and departmental officials.

Meetings may be arranged and hosted by WNC, as resources and circumstances allow.

Ensuring that WNC is represented at the relevant APPGs' i.e. 1325, Human Rights

Cost:

None allocated

Staff resources

Staff:

Shelly Dowrich

Ongoing

Desirable

WNC attends meetings of the APPG on Women, Peace and Security, as well as other similar groups, to maintain and strengthen links, share information and network, as appropriate.

OBJECTIVE

ACTIVITY

TIMELINE/

WHO

ESSENTIAL/ DESIRABLE/ NON-ESSENTIAL

SUCCESS

INDICATORS

With Outreach Manager, maintain and update partnership base for NGOs with an international remit and continue to contact these groups to join the network, taking into account the representation from the six equality strands and three nations.

Cost:

None allocated

Staff resources

Staff:

Shelly Dowrich

Desirable

Database reflects current WNC contacts in the international field. Lists of contacts in the six equalities strands will be easily accessible and kept up to date.

To attend relevant partner events, to maintain good contact with and maintain good working relations with existing NGOs active in the international arena e.g. NAWO, European Women's Lobby and WomanKind

and ensure useful information-sharing on issues relevant to international remit.

Cost:

None allocated

Staff resources

Staff:

Shelly Dowrich

Desirable

WNC representatives will be present when possible, as resources allow.

Resources permitting, support NGO events and activities as and when required e.g. co-badge with NGOs at CSW side-events and attendance at AGMs

Cost:

None allocated

Staff resources

Staff:

Shelly Dowrich

Essential

As resources allow, staff attend partners' events and opportunities are identified to co-sponsor events.

Facilitate the capacity-building of existing NGOs to encourage their engagement with smaller under-represented grassroots organisations.

Cost:

None allocated

Staff resources

Staff:

Shelly Dowrich

Desirable

Partners with an international remit, but with limited experience or resources identified, and support offered to enable them to increase their capacity to deliver for their supporters/members.

Facilitate meetings between NGOs and Government officials.

Cost:

None allocated

Staff resources

Staff:

Shelly Dowrich

Essential

Meetings may be arranged and hosted by WNC, as resources and circumstances allow, on issues of relevance in the international arena.

2) To provide women nationally and internationally currently undertaking studies, working in and have a keen interest in women's equality and human rights the opportunity to take up an internship at the WNC for an agreed period

Liaising with the British Council, the Hansard Society and the Chevening Fellowship, regarding suitable candidates for WNC internships.

Cost:

None allocated

Staff resources

Staff:

Shelly Dowrich

Desirable

Requests from relevant bodies responded to promptly and places offered, where circumstances and resources can offer a useful placement.

Ensuring that interns are given an induction on their first day and carrying out a skills audit

Cost:

None allocated

Staff resources

Staff:

Shelly Dowrich

Desirable

Internship plan followed, thereby supervising officer provides a first-day induction and assesses the intern's abilities, skills and knowledge.

Assigning interns varied and interesting work utilising existing skills and expertise in agreement with Policy Leads

Cost:

None allocated

Staff resources

Staff:

Shelly Dowrich

Desirable

Supervising Officer drafts plan of activity, events and opportunities and fine tunes these in light of induction assessment.

Providing opportunities for shadowing and mentoring

Cost:

None allocated

Staff resources

Staff:

Shelly Dowrich

Desirable

Confirms that opportunities for shadowing and mentoring are included in plan of activity and that intern is encouraged to fully participate.

Ensuring that interns complete an evaluation of their placement at the end of their internship

Cost:

None allocated

Staff resources

Staff:

Shelly Dowrich

Desirable

Supervising Officer builds in time towards the end of placement, to obtain an evaluation of the intern's placement, evaluating positives and negatives and ensures any recommendations are considered and acted on, where appropriate.