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The Women's
Support Network was first established in 1989. Since then it has grown in
size and influence and has established itself as a key infrastructure
organisation for the community-based women's sector.
WSN's membership presently comprises more than 30 community-based women's
centres and projects, other autonomous women's projects and regional
women's infrastructure groups and women's sections or projects within
larger community and voluntary organisations. A number of community
and voluntary organisations which have strong interest in women's issues
are also affiliated to the Network. Click
here for list of members.
Below are listed some of the key areas of work in the
history of WSN, some of these were one-of projects, others are ongoing
functions of WSN.
·
Global Feminism – a project, delivered in partnership with Women into
Politics, looking outward to women’s experience and activism globally,
this included a series of lectures from international speakers which was
supported by a training programme of courses, in local women’s centres
aimed at building capacity on international issues, to ensure that the
greatest benefit can be gained from the visiting speakers.
·
Awareness-raising with regard to the UN Beijing Platform for Action
·
Education and Training through the Power Project, a cross-border women’s
studies programme for community activists
·
Research dissemination to women’s networks north and south through the
North South Research Collaboration Group
·
Engagement with the Women’s Sector Ad hoc Policy Group
·
Transactional Anti-Discrimination and Diversity Training Measures Within
Public Authorities
·
Support including key infrastructure groups: member days; referral
service; development of strategic alliances to undertake collective work
in a range of projects including funding strategies and lobbying;
·
Mediation and Conflict Resolution Training
·
Outreach support to new and established groups, focus on social inclusion
of women from ethnic minority communities, disabled women, lesbian women
etc.
·
Venue and secretariat provision for women’s organisations across sector
·
Information provision – production of bi-monthly newsletter &
informal information service
·
Co-ordinate and service WSN sub-groups (Children/Childcare issues;
Education & Training; Women’s Centre Managers; Sustainability; Women
on Public Bodies etc.
·
Raise awareness, build capacity and organise and facilitate consultation
on policy documents
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