National Council of Women Great Britain

	LATEST NEWS
NEW YEAR BIRTHDAY HONOURS	NCW President Sheila Eaton on behalf of members warmly congratulates those who received recognition in the Queen's Birthday Honours. She would particularly like to mention: Joan Ruddock MP, an Honorary Associate of NCW, who is appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire, for public and political services Ethel Swann OBE, a long-standing member of both NCW's Nottingham branch and the Social and Employment committee where she has contributed much to NCW's policy work. Her award is for her services to children and families as Co-founder of Play in Schools, Nottingham. Jeanette Orrey MBE School Meals Policy Adviser, Food for Life Partnership. Her award is for services to food in schools. Jeanette gave an inspirational talk about her life and work to an audience of sixth form girls and NCW members at an intergenerational seminar in Nottingham.
Latest edition of Newsletter	The Newsletter includes Seminar: Where has the care gone from the caring professions? NCW's part in the history of women in the police force Do we need a UK Bill of Rights? NCW consults members NCYW Viewpoint - young women report on seminar Support for women in Afghanistan Violence against women - ECICW want action And much more! Look on NCW Newsletter page to view it.
PROVOCATIVE ADVERTISEMENT BANNED	A perfume advertisement showing a 17 year old sitting on the floor with a perfume bottle between her thighs has been banned by the Advertising Standard Authority, on the grounds of being sexually provocative. NCW welcomes this action following its campaign through resolutions, seminars and publications to alert the public and Government to the dangers of the early sexualisation of children.
UK BILL of RIGHTS Do we need one?	NCW consulted members and responded to this Government consultation in November. To read the full text of our response click here.
NCW Annual Conference	"Best conference in years", say members. Nottingham October 2011 President Sheila Eaton comments "The theme Equality and the Empowerment of Women was so appropriate for this significant year for women, with the centenary of International Women's Day and the formation of UN Women at the United Nations and now the Commonwealth agree a girl can succeed to the British throne. Conference speakers were inspirational Women of Achievement. Presentations by the Health Committee and the National Council of Young Women engaged delegates. We worked hard, enjoyed delightful entertainment and still had time to meet old and new friends". The resolutions, all topical, provided the opportunity for lively debate; the outcome is that strong representations can be made to Government on issues including: child benefit, transport problems, forced marriage and the reform of women's justice. Full details of the Resolutions debated at Conference can be accessed, click here. The 12-page Conference Report can be accessed - click here. The 2012 conference will be on 12th 13th 14th October. Venue to be confirmed.
HELP VULNERABLE WOMEN IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM!	Women not mentioned in the Reform bill currently before Parliament. Urgent action needed! At NCW's Annual Conference in October, delegates voted unanimously for a resolution, presented by NCW Affiliate, the Prison Reform Trust. Too many vulnerable women are unnecessarily sent to prison for non-violent offences, while local women's centres - which have had better results in reducing offending - face an uncertain future. NCW President, Sheila Eaton has sent a copy of the resolution to the Prime Minister, David Cameron, Justice Secretary, Ken Clarke and shadow members of the Opposition, asking them to prioritise the sustained and determined implementation of measures to divert women from crime, reduce offending and reoffending by women, and stop sending so many women to prison. This includes amending the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill currently in Parliament which, when it was introduced this summer, made no mention of women whatsoever. The President has also called on NCW members to support the resolution by writing to their MP. For more information from Juliet Lyon CBE, Director Prison Reform Trust, click here.
FAB	The Foreign Affairs Bulletin from NCW's Foreign Affairs Committee includes reports: The inauguration of UN Women Rural India - a project to empower adolescent girls Fair Trade fortnight Closing the gender gap in agriculture Look on the International page, scroll down to Foreign Affairs to view FAB.
BUS CUTS - LETTER TO GOVERNMENT	Impact on People, Communities, the Economy and the Environment NCW members have been reporting that local authorities are planning to reduce support for local bus services, following funding cuts. Concerned that buses enable economic activity and are also vital in achieving a low carbon future, NCW has joined 27 organisations in expressing concern to the Prime Minister. To read the letter, click here.
Archive News	For archived news items please click here.