women in london

WRC wants to ensure that women’s voluntary and community sector organisations, women’s projects and other organisations and groups that work with women, are fully involved in monitoring the UK’s performance in implementing the UN Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) http://www.wrc.org.uk/resources/tools_to_engage_and_influence/working_internationally/about_cedaw.aspx

WRC, with the CEDAW Working Group, will monitor the Convention by collecting evidence about the experiences of women in the UK. We need statistics, case studies, research or relevant information that you may have as part of the evidence. We will then use this to show the government where they need to improve law, policies and practice to ensure women can fully enjoy their human rights. With the current issues and cuts facing women’s organisations and the women they support this is even more vital!

We will also use it to create a shadow report (http://www.wrc.org.uk/resources/briefings_and_consultations/past_briefings_and_consultations/international/cedaw_and_beijing_10.aspx) to send to the UN CEDAW Committee outlining where the UK is not meeting the standards and international obligations required.

Through this we hope to give the UK Government and the UN the information they need to ensure that the UK complies with its obligations under CEDAW to:
* End all forms of discrimination against women;
* Protect women; and
* Promote equality within the legal system, public institutions and other organisations and amongst individuals to ensure the human rights of women in the UK.

Use the links and information below to find out how you can get involved:
* Download the template for gathering evidence and return it to shadowreport@wrc.org.uk
* Fill in the survey online at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/LXVYYRK
* Use the template/survey to gather evidence from the groups and women you work with
* Attend a consultation event (keep an eye on the WRC website for details)

Timeline for gathering evidence:
* UK government report due to CEDAW Committee – May 2011
* Deadline for evidence and information to WRC – 30th September 2011
* Report due to the CEDAW Committee – February 2012
* UK Examination – May 2012

Please also let us know if you are planning to submit any evidence separately or would like to be involved in writing the shadow report.