Gender equality

New Women’s Voice and Influence (V&I) Structure for Bristol

Introduction

The new Women’s Voice and Influence structure is now being formed.

A constitution has been drafted and is being worked up for adoption. The draft objectives in the constitution are to:

• promote the equality of women in the Bristol area by working with public, voluntary and private organisations/groups to eliminate discrimination, secure equal opportunities and equal treatment for women;
• make sure the views of women are heard and taken into account by private and public sector organisations by providing a means for women to represent their views;
• achieve the above aims and objectives by any lawful means and including consultation, representation, campaigning.

The Women's V&I interim management group are:

• Aroona Smith (Silai for Skills)
• Tove Samselius (Single Parent Action Network - SPAN)
• Cezara Nanu (Platform 51)
• Maria Banos-Smith (Bristol Feminist Network and Bristol Fawcett).

A website for the new structure is being developed and will be interactive, allowing members to post events and messages and have debates about gender equality issues.  Details about this will be available soon.

Background

In 2010 the council commissioned a research and consultation exercise to find out what women in Bristol want in terms of a structure and model for engaging women’s voices and promoting gender equality.

Our aim is to support all equalities forums to operate as independent voluntary organisations that can put forward the voice of equalities groups, challenge service providers and campaign on issues of importance to equalities communities.

In June 2011 Bristol Women’s Forum closed. The Women’s Forum was a long standing consultative forum run by us to capture the views of women living and working in Bristol. Many women gave long and dedicated service to the forum but a new model was needed in order to increase impact.

GEM Consultancy produced a report in March 2011 on our behalf setting out their findings.  This followed extensive consultation with women across the city and public sector stakeholders. Download the report below.

Enabling Women’s Voice and Influence in Bristol report (pdf, 334 KB)

More information

For further information please contact:

Gillian Douglass
Bristol City Council
Email: Gillian.Douglas@bristol.gov.uk
Telephone 0117 922 2664

Penny Gane
Gem Consulting
Email: penny@gemconsult.co.uk