Learn from Banaz
9 April 2008
Guardian
We hope that the failure of police officers to listen to the repeated
cries for help from Banaz Mahmod will not happen to another woman or
girl (
Met let down victim killed by her family, 3 April). The fact that
this deadly failure has received such widespread attention and is
hopefully being addressed by the police is entirely due to the
campaigning efforts of a number of specialist black and minority ethnic
women's organisations. It is just such organisations which have over
the years effected change leading to better protection for women and
girls. Why is it then that minority ethnic women's organisations are
under threat of closure due to the hostile environment created by the
community cohesion agenda? What kind of community cohesion is this
creating - one where the lives and safety of women and girls counts for
nothing?
Vivienne Hayes, Chief Executive, WRC and Aisha Gill, Chair, Newham Asian Women's Project
The smaller front-line services work best
23 April 2008
Third Sector (need to register)
We agree with Nick Seddon when he says bigger doesn't always mean better (
Third Sector, 9 April). We would probably go further and say that, in terms of front-line services, it almost never means better.
Government policy is leading to the death of small voluntary and community organisations. Commissioning of larger generic organisations to provide services to communities and the issue of 'single group funding' are directly related to their demise. The future looks bleak for smaller organisations, which provide the best quality services to people and value for money, and are able to reach the beneficiaries no one else can.
Vivienne Hayes, Chief Executive, WRC and Kevin Curley, Chief Executive, NAVCA
A funding crisis
20 February 2008
GuardianMany black and minority ethnic women's organisations are in peril. I can only hope that the government is listening as it develops its proposals for funding guidance on cohesion. Advising funders to give preference to projects that bring groups together will not improve cohesion. Far from promoting cohesion, it will further exclude people already on the margins of society.
The government is out of touch with those working at the coalface. We need good guidance for funders that genuinely promotes equality and cohesion and ensures that invaluable organisations like Southall Black Sisters do not become victims of a 'one-size-fits-all' funding culture.
Vivienne Hayes, Chief Executive, WRC
No charity for female managers
25 September 2007
The Times, Public AgendaThat female charity managers are more likely to resign than their male counterparts has raised eyebrows, but perhaps we shouldn't be surprised (
Women resign to progress, Sept 18). The world of work is still designed around male needs and lifestyles. Perhaps women managers are changing jobs at a higher rate in a search for roles that match their aspirations for promotion and remuneration with their need for flexible working practices and an environment that values their skills and experiences.
Women managers on our training schemes note that their male colleagues have greater access to training that enables them to develop within their roles. This has a serious knock-on effect for the women's charity sector. We find that women's organisations have difficulty recruiting at director level because the low wages and lack of training opportunities for women managers leads to a very small pool of suitable candidates.
Although the voluntary sector often provides a more female-friendly working environment than other sectors, it risks wasting the talents of its female staff as well as the resources required to recruit replacements.
Vivienne Hayes, Chief Executive, WRC
Whatever happened to real campaigning?
19 September 2007
Third Sector (need to register)
"Will the umbrella organisations be lapdogs or watchdogs?" asks Nick Seddon (
Third Sector, 22 August). Good question, and one that we in the women's sector are increasingly concerned about.
Although there are some good examples of opposition to the third sector's apparent transmutation into a series of quasi-public bodies that deliver services predetermined by purchasing authorities, we remain fearful for the future direction of the women's sector - and, indeed, for its continued existence. Our fears are due to the lack of any strong lobby to challenge that shift.
What has happened to the third sector's campaigning activities to secure the work we do in addressing issues that the public sector fails even to understand, mush less address? The Women's Resource Centre continues to raise issues about independence, protection of grant making and the enormous added value of voluntary sector activities. Without such activities women would still be unable to open bank accounts or secure loans or mortgages in their own names. Oh, and it would still be legal for husbands to rape their wives.
Vivienne Hayes, Chief Executive, WRC
Sure Start is bearing fruit and promises more
31 August 2007
The TimesSir, We couldn't agree more with Alice Miles (
Unsure start for those who most need help, Aug 29). Sure Start is a fine example of the statutory sector trying to do the third sector's job and failing miserably. The most marginalised mothers in our society have the most to fear from well-intentioned state intervention and, as Miles states, will "remain so stubbornly out of reach".
Women prefer to use independent and community services provided by women in places where they feel safe. The Government must recognise the need to support mothers, especially when their children are young, but it is equally vital that it recognises that it should give resources to women's organisations which have the expertise to reach the "hard to reach" and have already been doing so for years.
Vivienne Hayes, Chief Executive, WRC
Women's groups are vital
August/September 2007
VS magazine (NCVO members only)
Thank you for highlighting the plight of women's organisations, particularly the rape crisis sector (
VS magazine, July 2007). Although no sustainable funding has been forthcoming so far, we have been heartened by Harriet Harman's pledge to put violence against women at the top of her agenda. However, the government's response to date has been piecemeal, with responsibility tossed between government departments, resulting in limited strategic policy initiatives. If she, and the new Gordon Brown government, are serious about challenging women's discrimination, they must invest sustainably in women's organisations, including rape crisis centres.
While we are pleased that the recently published third sector review supports campaigning and has set money aside for capacity-building, we can only wait to see whether the women's voluntary and community sector gets a significant piece of the pie - and whether this will be enough to save further organisations from closure.
Only investment in provision that puts the needs of individual women first will lead to women getting the care, support and respect they deserve.
Vivienne Hayes, Chief Executive, WRC
Magical delivery
26 July 2007
Guardian
It is disheartening, but not altogether surprising, to read that rape conviction rates are still abysmally low when one considers that funding for rape crisis centres is at a critical nadir (
Report, July 21). The government's commitment to criminal justice in rape cases should be matched by their commitment to the victims of rape. But with none of the 32 rape crisis centres in England and Wales receiving any stable, statutory funding, half of all rape crisis centres could now face closure. How can we expect women to have any faith in securing a conviction when their needs are so flagrantly sidelined in rape service provision?
Vivienne Hayes, Chief Executive, WRC
The heat is on for women's charities
16 May 2007
Third Sector (need to register)
Shadow voluntary sector minister Greg Clark's comments on the acquiescence of the voluntary sector (Third Sector, 9 May) are very pertinent.
The independence of the financially struggling women's voluntary and community sector is being particularly threatened by strings-attached funding. Our ability to kick up a fuss, really against sexism, support women and campaign against violence against women automatically means we are anti-establishment. We need to find a louder voice to stop state frameworks from undermining our activist efforts.
Vivienne Hayes, Chief Executive, WRC
Specialist refuges are in need of financial support
2 March 2007
Inside HousingI read with great interest the feature about specialist refuges (
Inside Housing, 16 February). The Women's Resource Centre launched our Why Women? campaign almost a year ago, calling on the government to put gender back on the agenda.
One of our major concerns is the decline in by-women-for-women services. We are aware that specialist refuge services are in demand yet not necessarily supported. Our members are extremely concerned about the future of such services, especially with the changes to Supporting People and the shift from grant funding to commissioning.
Vivienne Hayes, Chief Executive, WRC
Tick-box equality
21 November 2006
GuardianWe share Beatrix
Campbell's concern that the new gender-equality duty, due to become law
in 2007, could be nothing but a tick-box exercise (
For real equality, we must look to Northern Ireland,
November 14). The government's current consultation document does not
acknowledge historical institutional discrimination and abuse against
women, which surely should be the key consideration in addressing
inequality.
In the UK alone women who work full time earn 18%
less per hour than men who work full time. The cost of domestic
violence alone, to the state and the community, is estimated to be
£22.9bn. In 2002 11,676 rape cases reached court, but just 655 led to a
conviction.
To promote gender equality, and address issues such
as the pay gap, poverty and violence against women, public bodies will
need to uproot practices that impact negatively on women. Women's
organisations have decades of expertise in doing this; unless they are
involved in helping to implement this new law, there is a danger that
the gender duty will be an ineffective paper exercise.
Vivienne Hayes, Chief Executive, WRC
Pushed out
15 November 2006
Society GuardianThe widening gulf between Britain's "supercharities" and the thousands of smaller, locally based organisations is profoundly felt by the women's voluntary and community sector (
Across the great divide, Charities supplement, November 8). We have seen small grassroots women's organisations forced to close due to lack of funding, despite their excellent track record of delivering services to the most marginalised and "hard-to-reach". As smaller charities are forced to fight over the scraps left over from public service delivery, surely it's time to question the direction in which the voluntary sector is moving. We should not allow the growth of glossy monolithic charities to undermine the diversity and dynamism of the voluntary sector.
Vivienne Hayes, Chief Executive, WRC
Unclaimed assets can plug gender gap
20 September 2006
Third Sector (need to register)
The Commission on Unclaimed Assets' plan to channel the millions of pounds left untouched in dormant bank accounts to plug the voluntary sector funding gap is an innovative one (
Third Sector, 6 September). However, despite highlighting some of the most vulnerable people in society for intervention, including trafficked people, asylum seekers, single parents and mentally ill people, it fails to take one integral issue into account: gender.
Its use of gender-neutral language conceals the huge disparities and different experiences of poverty and exclusion faced by women and men. It must not be afraid of saying that 80 per cent of trafficked people and 90 per cent of single parents are women, and it should undertake a gendered analysis of those in need.
Vivienne Hayes, Chief Executive, WRC
Decision Time
13 September 2006
Society GuardianWe are pleased that the ALG's grants committee executive has chosen to focus on service priorities rather than pursuing its proposal to cut funding for London voluntary and community services by a third. We are encouraged by the Conservative group's support for a number of services focused on disadvantaged equalities groups. However, we do not believe that the threat to the grants budget has passed. A cut of even 10% or 20% would have a serious impact on services. We do not see how lost pan-London funding could be replaced.
The risk remains that any funding returned to the boroughs as a result of a cut of ALG's budget may be spent on other local council business, such as tax cuts, rather than on the voluntary sector. This would contradict the policies pursued nationally by both the Conservative and Labour parties to support the growth and development of the voluntary sector as a service delivery partner.
Tania Pouwhare and Michael Murray, Co-chairs, Voluntary Sector Forum
Fuel for the OFT
26 June 2006
GuardianRahila Gupta rightly draws attention to the key issue facing women affected by forced marriage: the need for protection (
Pressure and appeasement, June 20). For decades black and minority ethnic women's organisations have run specialist services to provide support for women who have nowhere else to turn. However, women's organisations currently face a funding crisis and many face closure. The government must provide sustainable funding for these services that not only offer protection, but empower women to rebuild their lives.
Vivienne Hayes, Chief Executive, WRC
Don't neglect rape victims
Observer21 May 2006
The level of child rape and sexual abuse highlighted by the NSPCC's 'Don't Hide It' campaign is horrifying enough, but the lack of specialist support for survivors of such abuse makes the situation even worse ('
Revealed: the horror of the 5,000 children under 16 raped every year', News, last week).
Women's organisations have been working tirelessly for many years, delivering vital specialist support services to rape and sexual abuse survivors, many of whom suffered their abuse as children and only, as adults, seek help.
However, the number of rape crisis centres has fallen from 68 in 1984 to 37 today. The government urgently needs to act. If it does not, many more child and adult survivors of sexual abuse will have nowhere to go for help.
Vivienne Hayes, Chief Executive, WRC
Why women's groups need proper funding
5 April 2006
Third Sector (need to register)
Women's organisations provide huge benefits to society and plug important gaps in the voluntary and social sectors. There is, for instance, no other organisation like the Women's Environmental Network (WEN), working on issues that link women, the environment and health.
By helping women grow affordable organic food on housing estates, exposing the effect of gender blindness in public policy on chemicals management or enabling women to reduce their household waste, we are benefiting the whole of society. In common with the rest of the women's sector, we have always had to work really hard to secure funding, often getting by on a shoestring - and right now it's tougher than ever. 'Women' are no longer recognised by many funders as a priority group and moves to more competitive or procurement-based funding regimes favour larger, more corporate charities and disadvantage smaller ones.
That's why WEN supports the Women's Resource Centre's
why women? campaign (
Third Sector, 15 March). It's time the true value of the women's sector was recognised and properly funded.
Liz Sutton, Communications Co-ordinator, Women's Environmental Network
Rape centres crisis
4 April 2006
GuardianYour
leader (March 31) was spot on in its analysis of the causes of appallingly low rape conviction rate, but it is not true that there are more Rape Crisis centres now; in fact there are less, and so a decrease in the specialist services for rape survivors. While rape crisis centres provide ongoing support and counselling to women for many years after the attack, the statutory sexual assault referral centres set up in the last three years provide support and collect evidence directly after the rape happens. While the centres are an improvement to the criminal justice system, collecting evidence in a more humane setting, they do not provide ongoing specialist and independent services in a women-only setting. Rape crisis centres in the women's voluntary and community sector are decreasing and those left are finding it increasingly to fund their important services. What messages are we giving to perpetrators and survivors alike?
Vivienne Hayes, Chief Executive, WRC
Is Sir Clive Booth the man for women?
8 February 2006
Third Sector (need to register)
What a relief to read that Big Lottery Fund chairman Sir Clive Booth is not afraid to fund unpopular causes, including women's groups (
Third Sector, 1 February). Could it be that the Big Lottery Fund will be the champion for women that is so badly needed? Home Office figures from 2004 show that, despite making up 7 per cent of all registered charities, women's organisations receive only 1.2 per cent of central government funding.
Issues such as prostitution, sexual and reproductive rights, female genital mutilation and support for domestic violence survivors are considered too controversial or marginal for most major funders to touch. As the Government increasingly favours mainstream charity giants to deliver public services, creative, user-led solutions developed by women's bodies and other equality groups are being squeezed out of the funding market.
Vivienne Hayes, Chief Executive, WRC
Shortsighted on sex work
1 February 2006
GuardianIt is refreshing to read an article on prostitution in which the portrayal of sex workers is neither patronising nor falsely sympathetic (A life in brown and white, January 25).
Bernard Hare has exposed the shortsightedness of the government's prostitution strategy. The Home Office has identified childhood sexual abuse, human trafficking and drug addiction as some of the causes of prostitution, but offers no sustainable solutions to combat these.
Women's organisations are well placed to address the multi-faceted needs and chaotic circumstances of women sex workers. The advocacy support they provide is independent, effective and responsive, and it enables many sex workers to keep safe as well as to exit prostitution.
Yet these organisations face the threat of closure because they are not being resourced adequately. They are being squeezed out in favour of commissioning large mainstream charities to provide public services. Without a sustainable funding strategy, the government will fail to tackle prostitution in any meaningful way.
Tania Pouwhare, Head of Policy, WRC
Picture for women isn't quite so rosy
19 October 2005
Third Sector (need to register)
It was exciting to see women head-lining your magazine (
Third Sector, 12 October). We could be forgiven for thinking women are achieving improvements in the fight for equal pay. However, we wanted to give some balance to the headline by pointing out that although a handful of women in our sector might be earning more than their male counterparts, the real story is somewhat different. Despite the 1970 Equal Pay Act, women as a whole still earn, on average, 43 per cent less per hour working part-time and 14 per cent less than men working full-time. And as
Third Sector reported on 27 July, the Payfinder survey found that women in the sector earn on average 13 per cent less than men.
We appreciate that headlines need to be eye-catching, but if
Third Sector considers a more in-dept look at women's experiences in the sector, we think you'll find that the picture is not so rosy.
Vivienne Hayes, Chief Executive, WRC
Women's charities are often overlooked
31 August 2005
Third Sector (need to register)
It made a refreshing change to read Beth Breeze's Third Voice about the continuing gender imbalance in our sector (
Third Sector, 17 August). Perhaps she is correct that women do not make enough noise about our successes, because we are too busy getting the job done.
Women's voluntary organisations work hard to address the root causes of the discrimination and disadvantage women still face. For example, half of women have a disposable income of less that £100 a week in their own right, compared with just 20 per cent of men, and 45 per cent of women experience some form of domestic violence or sexual victimisation in their lifetime.
The women's sector provides vital services such as counselling, professional development and support to young mums. Despite this excellent work, however, the needs and interests of women's organisations are often over-looked by mainstream voluntary sector awards and trade bodies that advocate on behalf of the sector.
Maybe
Third Sector could lead the way by covering more issues affecting the women's voluntary and community sector, and also celebrating its successes and vital contribution to the sector as a whole.
Vivienne Hayes, Chief Executive, WRC
Gender agenda
17 August 2005
Society Guardian
I was pleased to read of the success of the men-only parenting group Caring Fathers, Confident Children (Where fathers figure, August 10). It is an excellent example of the benefit and effectiveness of services and activities that are delivered in a single-sex environment.
Women's organisations provide much needed women-only spaces, for example to support women facing domestic and sexual violence, living in poverty or trying to progress their careers in a male-dominated profession. After all, women are still twice as likely to live in poverty as men, and 45% of women experience domestic violence or sexual victimisation in their lifetime. However, because of misperceptions that women and men have achieved equality, many women's organisations find they have to repeatedly justify why they are female-only in an increasingly "one-size-fits-all" climate. We hope that the new "gender duty" for the public sector will mean greater acknowledgment of the need for different approaches to supporting men and women.
Vivienne Hayes, Chief Executive, WRC
Police plan new control unit to tackle rape crisis
7 August 2005
Observer
It was refreshing to see such a thorough examination of the low conviction rates and poor support for victims. But we must be cautious in believing that Sexual Assault Referral Centres alone will remedy the situation. They are a welcome improvement to the criminal justice process but only deal with very recent assaults and do not offer long-term support, advocacy and counselling services like those provided by rape crisis centres.
These independent community organisations provide support services based on women's needs, rather than the needs of the criminal justice system, in a women-only setting. Unless the government improves funding, closures and cutbacks will mean even less support for victims.
Vivienne Hayes, Chief Executive, WRC