A leading Islington based women's group will see its central Government funding triple as a result of local MP Emily Thornberry's intervention. Emily's campaign has led the Government to announce today almost £1/2 million of funding to stop discrimination, inequality and violence against women.
Emily launched the "Why Women?" campaign with the Women's Resource Centre (WRC) in June 2006, after hearing about women's groups funding problems. She tabled a Parliamentary motion, which has been backed by 100 MPs. Emily then met Ed Miliband MP, the Minister for the voluntary sector, to tell him why the women's sector had to have proper dedicated funding. As a result the Government has changed its mind. For the first time ever the women's sector will receive dedicated funding from Government.
Announcing the news, Ed Miliband MP, Minister for the voluntary sector, said:
"Characteristically, Emily has led the way on this important issue. She is a very effective champion of women's rights in Parliament and she made the case that women's voice was a gap in our strategic funding. So I am very pleased that we have been able to add the Women's Resource Centre to our current list of strategic partners, further helping to ensure that the third sector has an ability to contribute to the development of policy. They will fill an important gap in our partnership with the sector in speaking up on issues of particular concern to women, building on their distinguished record."
Emily Thornberry MP said:
"This is fantastic news. I was very concerned that Women's groups weren't getting the funding they need. We don't live in a post-feminist paradise. I said in June that I hoped the Government would listen to our concerns and they have. Ed understands how important this issue is and he's made money available to protect women's rights. "
Vivienne Hayes, Director of the Women's Resource Centre, said:
"We're really pleased that the Office of the Third Sector has decided to fund us to provide a strategic voice for the women's voluntary and community sector. Women's organisations are facing an uncertain future but we've been really encouraged by the response and support we've had from Emily Thornberry and Ed Miliband. We'll be working hard to ensure that the experiences, needs and aspirations of women's organisations and their services users are voiced loud and clear so we have a strong and sustainable women's sector".
The WRC is provides expert advice and support to women's voluntary organisation across the country. It is based in Bunhill at 33-41 Dallington Street. As a result of Emily's intervention, its role has now expanded and it will be funding women's groups across the country.
Notes:
- Parliamentary motion tabled by Emily Thornberry MP is available here. Backers of the motion included Joan Ruddock MP, Julie Morgan MP and Karen Buck MP.
- The Women's Resource Centre will receive:
- £97k in 06-07, £192k in 07-08 and £197k in 08-09.
- Total = £486k
