Women’s Resource Centre (WRC) welcomes Keir Starmer’s announcement of a “fundamental reset” in the government’s relationship with civil society, as outlined in the newly proposed Civil Society Covenant. With its focus on transparency, recognition, participation, and partnership, the Covenant presents an important opportunity to improve how government and the voluntary sector work together, especially at a time when charities are facing unprecedented challenges. However, we urge that, to be truly effective, this new framework must prioritise the voices and concerns of the women’s sector—a key area within civil society that remains underfunded and often overlooked.

Historically, women-led organisations have played a critical role in addressing complex social issues such as gender-based violence, economic inequity, and structural inequality. These organisations serve as lifelines for women and children in need, yet they frequently face severe funding shortages and limited governmental support. As highlighted during the recent Charity Finance Summit, many small charities, including those supporting women and girls, face increasing strain under the current financial and regulatory landscape. Priya Singh, NCVO’s chair, noted that the current “one-size-fits-all” regulatory environment places undue pressure on smaller charities, preventing them from thriving and adequately meeting their communities’ needs. This problem is profound within the women’s sector, where the lack of secure, long-term funding exacerbates the challenges of addressing complex, systemic issues.

“For the Civil Society Covenant to be effective, the government must engage directly with women-led organisations, recognising their specific contributions and unique challenges.”

The government’s stated commitment to engage with charities across various focuses, sizes, and geographic areas is promising. However, we stress that the women’s sector must not be treated as a peripheral concern within these discussions. For the Civil Society Covenant to be effective, the government must engage directly with women-led organisations, recognising their specific contributions and unique challenges. This includes addressing systemic funding inequities that have historically disadvantaged women’s organisations. Without dedicated resources and support, the women’s sector will struggle to fully participate in this partnership and continue its essential work.

WRC calls on the government to ensure that consultations for the Covenant incorporate diverse perspectives from within the women’s sector. Women’s organisations understand the intersectional nature of social inequality, working at the intersections of sex, race, and socioeconomic status. Their insights are essential to creating a comprehensive and inclusive civil society framework that addresses the root causes of social inequality. Achieving meaningful change requires a partnership model that redistributes resources and decision-making power. We would like to offer to convene a meeting of women’s sector organisations as part of the consultation process.

We hope all stakeholders engage with the Covenant’s consultation process and advocate for a truly representative, inclusive civil society that reflects the realities and aspirations of all women and girls.