Women’s equality in the UK – A health check

3.11
3.12
3.13
3.14
‘favourite consultees,’ so the same views were sought time and again to justify new initiatives
and policy proposals. 12
With the consultation for the Call to End Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy, 13 NGOs
had just been involved in a detailed consultation with the previous government which led to a
strategy and so did not have the capacity to engage again when the information was the same
and the strategy it had led to was appropriate.
The Government’s methods of consultation are also not inclusive. For example, for Muslim
women with homes, families and jobs it is too difficult to find time to deal with much of the
output from government, let alone have a prolonged meaningful discussion with them. 14 There
are also issues with the focus on online communication which excludes women who are not
computer literate, do not have internet access, those with disabilities as well as other issues
outlined in the case study below which are relevant for many women.
Case Study: 15
Muslim women have said that they would only engage in online dialogue with the
Government if they were sure of being afforded privacy, anonymity and secure storage
of information. Communicating via IT would be a challenge for many Muslim women due
to access and not being able to use such tools. This was either because: they were from
disadvantaged families and communities who could not afford IT; they are part of an
older generation unwilling or unable to understand their use; they were from families who
disapproved of social media; they could not communicate well enough in English.
Recommendation:
Communication is needed between government/public bodies and the women’s NGO
sector. Women’s organisations need access to greater participation in government
policy and processes including involvement in consultations, however, consultation
with women and NGOs must be sustainable, accessible and confidential for those
involved and recognise and value their knowledge and involvement
In 2012 there were further attacks 16 on the process of consultation with the Government
removing the statutory 12 week minimum consultation period, which forms part of the
Compact 17 agreement between government and the voluntary sector, and saying that
consultation is not even needed in many circumstances. This removes the ability for women to
be involved in the decisions that affect their lives and to ensure that these decisions do not go
against CEDAW principles and reduce equal engagement.
Non-Departmental Public Bodies
The EHRC is the National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) for England and Wales and plays a
vital role in the national machinery to promote women’s equality. An independent, transparent
12. Muslim Women’s Network UK (2011) Muslim Women: Political and Civic Engagement in the UK. MWNUK, University of Warwick and The
Economic Social Research Council http://mwnuk.co.uk/go_files/downloads/MWNUK-Booklet-website.pdf
13. Home Office (2010) Call to End Violence against Woman and Girls. HM Government http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/crime/
call-end-violence-women-girls/vawg-paper?view=Binary
14. Muslim Women’s Network UK (2011) Muslim Women: Political and Civic Engagement in the UK. MWNUK, University of Warwick and The
Economic Social Research Council http://mwnuk.co.uk/go_files/downloads/MWNUK-Booklet-website.pdf
15. Muslim Women’s Network UK (2011) Muslim Women: Political and Civic Engagement in the UK. MWNUK, University of Warwick and The
Economic Social Research Council http://mwnuk.co.uk/go_files/downloads/MWNUK-Booklet-website.pdf
16. Compact Voice (2012) ‘Initial statement on Prime Minister’s comments at CBI conference’, 21st November 2012 http://www.compactvoice.
org.uk/news/2012/11/21/initial-statement-prime-ministers-comments-cbi-conference
17. See Compact Voice (2012) http://www.compactvoice.org.uk/about-compact Accessed: 21/03/13
38 Women’s equality in the UK: CEDAW shadow report 2013