Our Work

EUROPEAN WOMEN'S LOBBY (EWL)

NAWO has a special role in relation to the EWL. With sister organisations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, Nawo works through the UK Joint Commission on Women (UKJCW) to represent women at the EWL. In this special role, it promotes awareness of the role of European Institutions in women's lives; lobbies and monitors gender mainstreaming in Europe; lobbies and monitors the UK government for its implementation of EU directives on equality; brings issues of concern to women in England to the attention of EWL; works closely with partner organisations in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland on the UK Joint Committee on Women which aims to be the voice of UK women in Europe and develops a UK position on issues and policies on which the EWL is campaigning.

United Kingdom

The Gender Equality Duty

After extended consultation, the Gender Equality Duty initiated by the Women and Equality Unit is now up and running and we can expect a government response within the next 3 months.

The Gender Equality Duty was introduced into legislation in the Equality Act of 2006, amending the Sex Discrimination Act. It means that public bodies must have 'due regard' to the need to:

Eliminate unlawful sex discrimination and harassment (including for transexual people)
Promote equality of opportunity between men and women

The specific duties require all listed bodies to produce a gender eqaulity scheme showing how it intends to fulfil the general and specific duties. The scheme should be implemented within three years. Public authorities should report on progress annually and review and revise the scheme at least every three years.

We ensure the continuing implementation of the BPFA by the UK government
We highlight key women's rights issues in the UK and enable our members to take action
We promote the debate on Europe and aim to engage women in EU politics
We organise regular networking and information events

UNITED NATIONS

We contribute to alternative reports on the implentation of CEDAW by the UK government
We produce an alternative report on implementation of the BPFA by the UK government
We attend, take an active part in and present side events on topics of concern to members at the Commission on the Status of Women

CEDAW

The Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) provides the backdrop against which we work and, every four years when the UK government must report to the UN on progress on its implementation, we consult members and contribute to an alternative non-governmental report.

Beijing Platform For Action

In 1995, the Beijing Platform for Action (BPFA) set gender equality, development and peace as international goals, and constituted an agenda for the empowerment of women. Alongside governmental reports to the UN, NGOs in various countries have consulted women and produced alternative reports.