70% of the world’s poorest people are women. Empowering women is essential to development – not only as a human right - but to drive forward economic and social progress.
We want to highlight the achievements of women around the world who make a difference in ways that are not always visible or recognised by asking people to nominate their own examples of unseen women who have made a difference.
Complementing existing lists of rich and powerful women, we want to shed more light on the ways women can have an impact in many different walks of life and show how women can be, and are, active participants in society leading to positive political, social and economic and change.
The final list will be announced in mid August. Our scope for nominations is broad. Nominees might be activists, artists, inventors, educators, health workers or entrepreneurs. Although international in focus, we are interested in hearing about global women wherever they live – in London or in Lagos - who have made a positive and progressive difference to their communities and their lives.
To nominate and for more information please go to: http://oneworldaction.wordpress.com/100-unseen-powerful-women/
More Women More Power: the Central Message of One World Action
One World Action’s More Women More Power campaign aimed to raise awareness and build support for women’s rights. During the campaign, with your support, we:
- campaigned with CARE International to get the government to reinstate the Ministerial position on International Violence Against Women
- raised awareness about the rights of Dalit women and girls in the UK and internationally on Human Rights Day
- recruited 18 MPs to be champions of women’s rights in parliament – amongst other things these champions promoted women’s rights by signing our petitions, tabling PQs and asking a question for One World Action at the IDC inquiry into the Millennium Development Goals summit
- built up a network of over 1600 campaigners to support women’s rights
- hosted a number of events to raise awareness of women’s rights, including an International Women’s Day event in parliament on the potential of UN Women for improving the lives of women around the world
- joined up with our friends in the Equals Campaign, the Godmothers and others to promote women’s equality – finding that working in solidarity with other organisations provides greater strength and enables us to pool resources in more difficult economic times
Building on these successes, from April 2011 the message of More Women More Power will merge with One World Action’s core work, making sure that campaigning for women’s political power so that they can make decisions about all aspects of their live, is part of everything we do.
We also want to take the message of More Women More Power to new audiences and other areas of international development. One World Action’s experience of working with women so that their voices can be heard on issues that affect them – such as work, health, education and justice – will inform our future campaigns.
One World Action celebrates 100 years of International Women's Day!
March 2011
To mark the centenary of International Women's Day, One World Action and Young Fabian Women hosted an event in Parliament to discuss the new UN agency for gender equality and women’s empowerment – UN Women. A number of experts were invited to discuss the topic and the event was attended by OWA’s Women’s Rights Champions, trustees, and lots of wonderful More Women More Power campaigners.
The speakers included MP Rushanara Ali, VSO’s Kathy Peach, Baroness Glenys Kinnock, OWA’s new Director Hannah Davies and Helen Kijo-Bisimba, a lawyer from Tanzania who has been working on women’s rights for over 20 years. All of the speakers were amazing and brought to the table very different insights into the subject.
The speakers discussed the potential that UN Women has to improve the lives of women around the world, as well as the need to take positive and decisive action now. The subject of violence against women featured heavily in the discussion, as speakers drew upon their own experiences and the need to support women who experience violence by having an international organisation with sufficient clout to defend and fight for their rights. The speakers also considered the role of the UK government in funding UN Women, and the need for the agency to have a seat at decision-making tables within the UN itself.
One World Action has joined the Big Inequality Debate
EQUALS is a partnership of leading charities brought together by Annie Lennox to celebrate the centenary of International Women's Day. One World Action is a member of the coaltion and invites you to join the debate.
Campaigns Coordinator Laura Ouseley has written a blog for the big inequality debate.. Are the World’s top-dogs really all men?
http://weareequals.org/blog/guest-blogger/
In 2011, are women now equal to men?
Join in here: www.weareequals.org
Campaign Update
January 2011
This month the More Women More Power campaign welcomed Nicola Blackwood MP as its latest Women’s Rights Champion. We look forward to working with her to promote gender equality in the UK and abroad.
Evening Standard Journalist and feminist Rosamund Urwin wrote a blog for One World Action to raise awareness about sexism in the media. She often creates a stir in her Evening Standard column on Mondays with her out-spoken views on gender equality and women’s rights. It is great to have her on board and we look forward to working with Rosamund over the next couple of months.
Thank you to all those campaigners who have taken action and raised their voices against violence, including those who have signed our petition or sent welcome letters to MP Lynne Featherstone – the new UK Champion for ending international violence against women. The More Women More Power Campaign is working in coalition with Care International and other women’s rights NGOs to ensure that Lynne has the authority, access and resources required to carry out an effective strategy and action plan that will make a difference to the lives of women around the world. We will be presenting the petition to parliament next month so keep and look out for more details.
On 1st January the new UN body for gender equality - UN Women - finally became operational. One World Action is pleased to be an official supporting organisation of VSO’s Godmothers Campaign, which will watch over UN Women, help keep it on track, and protect it from people who’d like to see it fail.
We are now busy planning events to celebrate International Women’s Day, on 8th March. This year sees the 100th anniversary of this day and we plan to celebrate in style (including a comedy event, more details of which will be announced soon). One World Action is part of the EQUALS Coalition, a partnership of charities brought together by Annie Lennox OBE to ensure that this year’s International Women’s Day is a catalyst for celebration and positive change. We hope you will join us in the busy campaign months ahead.
Victory for the More Women More Power campaign
November 2010
The More Women More Power campaign has been raising awareness of the hurdles women across the globe face when they try to make their voices heard in international development. We know that one of the biggest barriers women often face in taking control of their own lives is violence. That's why we've been working with our supporters - who have busily been leaving voicemails for Theresa May throughout the summer - to ensure that the government position on International Violence Against Women is reinstated.
On 25th November 2010 - the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women - the government announced a new Champion for this issue - a great victory for our campaign!
But the hard work must not go to waste. Sign our petition now to ensure that the new Champion has the authority and funds she needs to really make a difference for the world's women.
First MEP Response to Dalit Rights Campaign
November 2010
We have received our first response to the letter sent to MEPs on behalf of One World Action, the Dalit Solidarity Network, and the many co-signatories that supported this campaign.
The letter demanded that MEPs take a pro-active role in ensuring that caste discrimination be tackled as a priority human rights issue at the EU level.
In his response, Michael Cashman, Labour MEP for the West Midlands, recognises the fact that caste inequality is often ignored in Europe:
‘The caste system involves inequality and prejudice based on birth and descent. This is wrong. Yet caste inequality is often ignored in Europe. This too is wrong’
He goes on to say:
‘I supported the Parliament’s resolution on ‘The Human Rights Situation of Dalits in India’ back in 2007. I will continue to support this issue through my work on the Parliament’s Development Committee’
One World Action is awaiting replies from the other MEPs and hopes that Michael Cashman will stick by his word and stand-up for Dalit rights in the European Parliament.
One World Action campaigners Stand Up for the MDGs
September 2010
From 17-19 September, millions of people across the world took part in Stand Up and Take Action, the global campaign for a breakthrough action plan at the Millennium Development Goals Review Summit.
People joined rallies, signed petitions, attended public meetings and participated in a range of special events.
To show our solidarity, campaigners from One World Action joined others in the Bond network of NGOs with drums, bells, whistles, pots and pans outside the House of Commons. The message on our banners and in our words was clear: Keep your promises: Deliver the MDGs.
A video has been produced of the actions all around the world which received its premiere at an anti-poverty rally in New York's Lincoln Plaza.A video of the London event will be uploaded here as soon as it is available. A big thanks to all of those who supported this event.
Stand Up campaigners demand action on the MDGs
CARE's Lee Webster makes a noise for women at the event
Supporters take the 5K Challenge
September 2010
Lewisham East MP Heidi Alexander was joined by More Women More Power supporters on 5th September as they ran for One World Action at the Adidas Women's 5K Challenge in Hyde Park to promote women's rights. Speaking at the event, Heidi said, "women's rights are crucial to building democratic and vibrant communities and societies. Yet there are many places in the world, the UK included, where women continue to suffer from violence, discrimination and exclusion, " explaining that running with One World Action is her way of flagging up women's rights as a priority in her legislative work and as a personal advocacy. Other MWMP supporters included Kate Withstanley, who combined her running achievement witha fantastic fundraising effort. A huge thanks to everyone who joined us on the day and we very much hope to see you again next year!
Heidi Alexander MP with MWMP Campaigners Kate and Marie
Heidi and Carolina
Standing Up, not Standing Still - response from the Conservative Party
July 2010
Following the recent general election, More Women More Power campaigners sent a widely-supported letter to all political parties demanding urgent action to increase women political representation in the UK. And we're pleased to report that we've had our first response.
Prime Minister David Cameron passed on the letter to the Government Equalities Office, who welcomed the commitment of One World Action's Women's Rights Champions to promoting the issue of women's political participation in our parliament and reminded us, that although since the election, the UK has moved from 61st to 50th position internationally in terms of women's parliamentary representation, we still have a long way to go.
Referring to the recent Speaker's Conference report on diversifying parliamentary representation in the UK, the letter also said:
"We will be considering the....recommendations very carefully as we develop policies and agree prioroties. Equalities are central to what we plan to do in Government. We will use every level to tear down the barriers that are holding too many people back. We are committed to making Britain a fairer society for all."
Standing Up - Not Standing Still...
17th May 2010
As More Women More Power campaigns to support women around the world as they strive to access power, we realise that it is increasingly difficult to be vocal internationally, when women’s political representation in our own country remains substantially unequal. Earlier in the month, our supporters were dismayed to see that the UK general election failed to significantly increase the number of women MPs in our parliament and the More Women More Power network took the decision to urgently write and co-sign a letter to all political party leaders in the UK, expressing this concern.
And we had a fantastic response! Almost 200 One World Action supporters backed the letter in just one week, which - for an organisation of our size - is a great achievement. And the subsequent announcement of only 4 female appointments to the Cabinet has only served to reinforce our message - Women in the UK want to Stand Up, not Stand Still!
This week, we have sent the co-signed letter to the leaders of all of the UK's main political parties, inviting each leader to respond. We will of course pass on their feedback to you as soon as we get it.
If you want to read the letter and its full list of final co-signatories, it is available to view now
Million Women Rise 2010
The More Women More Power campaign joined with 8 thousand women activists - on a very cold March 6th - to speak out for women's rights and denounce all forms of violence towards women.
Hot-off-the-press: The new More Women More Power campaign postcards - which allow activists to pledge to join One World Action's network of Women's RIghts Champions - attracted some interest in Trafalgar Square.
Watch this space for updates on the exiting second phase of the More Women More Power campaign.
(From left) Anna Boswell and Theresa Peters
Regina Hansada
(From left) Becca Price and Kate Spiegelhalter
Jaymaine Parkes
(From left) Rhiannon and Bethan Buck
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Read One World Action's Women's Rights Co-ordinator Emily Esplen's reflections on gender equality and the need for the radicalisation of political spaces and movements here. Emily wrote this piece for OpenDemocracy.net.
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Conservatives make a historic commitment to all-women shortlists
After almost a year of engaging with political parties to champion radical measures to ensure women are equally represented in our parliament, the More Women More Power Campaign was delighted to read in this morning’s Guardian that David Cameron has committed to the use of all-women shortlists in some seats in the forthcoming elections.
Campaign Co-ordinator Marie Birchall said:
“Having women equally represented in parliament and in other public bodies is a basic matter of justice and not simply a matter of merit. We are therefore delighted that the Conservative Party is taking positive steps to address this deeply embedded and historic injustice. The proof of the commitment, however, will be in the implementation and we very much look forward to hearing the details of the policy in the coming weeks.”
Earlier in the year, Shadow Minister for Women Theresa May MP got in touch with the campaign team to underline her interest in the goals of the More Women More Power Campaign and her commitment to gender equality and more recentlyI, International Development spokesperson Andrew Mitchell MP wrote to us to insist that empowering women is a powerful tool for reducing poverty. One World Action will continue to work with the Conservative Party – and all parties – to ensure that the UK becomes the international champion of gender equality and women’s rights.
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Business as usual? MWMP at the Compass Conference
On June 13th One World Action was delighted to jointly host the break-out session ‘Business as Usual? Gender justice in the post-recession economy’, with the Fawcett Society at the Robin Cook Memorial Conference, organised by Compass and built around the theme of a new 21st Century political and economic settlement. Both partner organisations had been concerned by the way women are bearing the brunt of the recession in the UK and globally and felt now was time to ensure that any new political or economic settlements are built on an understanding of how gender relations shape the political economy, and on a commitment to promote gender justice.
Panellists Bea Campbell (journalist, author and broadcaster), Baroness Uddin (Chair of the BME Councillors Taskforce), Prof. Ruth Lister CBE (Professor of Social Policy) and Natalie Bennett (editor of the Guardian Weekly) gave the audience food for thought, with a range of addresses that welcomed the new willingness to question the merits of capitalism and proposed radical feminist solutions, such as the introduction of a citizen’s wage. The More Women More Power campaign got a further boost with a prominent stand in the exhibition hall.
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Goldsmiths Back MWMP
On June 3rd, hundreds of students turned out to the first Goldsmiths University Annual Fête organised by Louis Rutherford in support of One World Action. Amid the 5-a-side football tournament, coconut shy, open air production of a Midsummer Nights Dream and Tombola (where the bizarre prizes included an X Files VHS video and springed meer cats), the students relaxed on the sun-soaked grass and listened to live swing music. The day provided the perfect opportunity to chat to groups about the work of One World Action and sparked various debates about the merits of positive action for women in politics. We were delighted that almost 150 people backed the More Women More Power campaign and want to say a big thank you to Louis for his hard work!
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More Women in Europe!
In the run-up to June’s European election, the More Women More Power campaign team have been delighted to receive wide-ranging support from across the political spectrum. So far, over 40 current MEPs and candidates standing in the European election have backed our campaign.
When signing up tothe More Women More Power pledge, Liberal Democrat candidate John Pindar felt current levels of gender representation were ‘disappointing’, whilst UKIP’s Paul Henke described existing inequalities as ‘appalling’, adding that there is an ‘urgent’ need for women in politics. Green Party candidate Steven Dawe urged One World Action to take the campaign forward during the general election, with fellow Green Felicity Newman pledging to raise the issue of women’s representation during the European campaign.
Labour MEP Catherine Stihler stressed the importance of the continued ‘work towards achieving greater fairness for women to fully participate at all levels of the political decision-making process’, with David Martin MEP adding that achieving equality for women in all walks of life would be the ‘greatest contribution’ we could make to our world.
And Liberal Democrat candidate Peter Hirst had a very clear message for women who want to follow him into politics - ‘Go for it!’
Candidates who have backed the More Women More Power Campaign (as of 22nd April 09)
Green Party
Peter Lynn; Dr Derek Wall; Felicity Newman; Beverley Golden; Jonathan Essex; Hazel Dawe; Chris Williams; Ricky Knight; Chloe Somers; Richard Lawson; Molly Scott Cato; Steven Dawe; Miriam Kennent; James Abbott; Vicky Dunn; Jean Lambert MEP; Caroline Allen; Peter McColl; Ruth Cameron; Shirley Ford; Justine Hall; Jill Perry; Margaret Westbrook; Ruth Bergan; Peter Cranie; Caroline Lucas MEP
Labour
Catherine Stihler MEP; David Martin MEP; Stephen Hughes MEP; Mary Honeyball MEP; Glynn Ford MEP; Derek Vaughan; Nilgun Canver; Eluned Morgan MEP; Lisa Stevens
Liberal Democrats
Peter Hirst; Steve Cooke; John Pindar; Ed Maxfield
UKIP
Nikki Sinclaire; Paul Henke; Christopher Browne; Andrew Moncreiff
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Million Women Rise 2009
Joining women from across the UK, One World Action commemorated International Women’s Day by participating in Million Women Rise – a march to demonstrate women’s united rage and opposition to male violence. After being invited to host a stall, we also took the opportunity to talk to women marchers about our More Women More Power campaign, highlighting the difference that gender-parity in decision making can have on legislation surrounding violence against women. One World Action activists Bethan Cobley and Aimee Oxley enjoyed an inspirational day speaking to hundreds of women on the day and were delighted to receive over 100 signatures in support of the campaign.
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More Women More Power Motion in Scottish Parliament!
As the More Women More Power Campaign gathers momentum, One World Action has tabled a motion in the Scottish Parliament calling on MSPs to show their support for women’s political representation.
Recognising the significant achievement of the Scottish Parliament in ensuring a third of its members are female, the motion urges MSPs to avoid complacency and ensure that women’s political representation stays firmly on the agenda in Scotland.
Launching the motion, former Scottish First Minister the Rt Hon Jack McConnell MSP said;
"Action to ensure greater representation of women in elected politics is essential for fairness, but it also delivers better politics and policies too."
The motion has gained support from across the Scottish political spectrum, with more than a third of MSPs backing the campaign. This mirrors the success of One World Action’s EDM, tabled in the House of Commons by Emily Thornberry MP. So far, 77 MPs have shown their support for the More Women More Power campaign by signing the motion.
You can see the More Women More Power Motion in the Scottish Parliament by clicking here.
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Local Girls Take on Poster Challenge
Girls at Highbury Fields School - local to One World Action - have recently put their creative skills to the test by designing innovative posters that capture the essence of the More Women More Power message. Encouraged by art teacher Celia Errington, the explorations around the theme of empowerment culminated in a Year 9 assembly led by One World Action staff Marie Birchall and Anne Mosley, which challenged the girls to use their talents to become leaders in their own communities. The assembly was also an opportunity to award three of the most striking posters with special gifts - contributions towards books of the girls' own choice for the school library.
One World Action staff were particularly impressed by the simplicity and boldness of winner Lekeisha Mills' design and loved runners-up Nafisa Yarasheva's and Nicole Doherty's hand-drawn artwork. But it was runner-up Lauren Walsh Fearon's strong strapline that most got the office talking:
'The Suffragettes campaigned for equal rights for women, so why aren't we using them?'
Click on the images to see the larger posters.
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More Women More Power Celebrate International Women's Day With Lively Debate!
One World Action marked International Women's Day 2009 with a lively debate on women's political participation called Do Women Need a Leg Up in Politics? The debate was held last March 5 at Kings Place. Speakers were Isma Almas (award-winning comedian), Jennette Arnold AM (chair of the London Assembly), Natalie Bennett (editor of Guardian Weekly), Lucy Changwe (Deputy Minister for Gender and Development in Zambia), Nicholas Parsons OBE (actor) and Emily Thornberry MP. Anna Ford chaired the panel.
The debate was a lively one, with the speakers discussing their diverse personal experiences as women in politics and the media. Anna Ford spoke of the underrepresentation of women on television, for example. Emily Thornberry recounted the difficulties women faced to be selected as a candidate until all-women shortlists were introduced by the Labour Party. Lucy Changwe also discussed positive action measures and their impact in Zambia and other African countries. Jennette Arnold discussed cooperation and support among women for women in politics.
Students from the London School of Economics bring up young women's concerns about formal politics.
Natalie Bennett, editor of Guardian Weekly, blogs about the debate andthe limitations of the electoral system in the UK here.
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MORE WOMEN MORE POWER LAUNCHES!
Women make up more than half the world’s people and yet, barely 20 % of parliamentarians around the world are women. This is the highest level it has ever been in history but it is not enough.
If you believe, as we do, that it is time for women all over the world to be fairly and adequately represented in politics; if you believe that urgent and radical measures are needed to ensure that women get elected and stay in office, please sign the More Women More Power Pledge and do your share to advance women's political participation. All the signatures gathered for this online pledge will be sent to the UK Prime Minister in December 2009, the 30th anniversary of the ratification of CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women).
You can also download the More Women More Power postcard appealing to the UK Minister for International Development appealing for more British aid to be devoted to promoting women's political participation in developing countries.
The More Women More Power campaign was launched on October 30 2008 at the House of Commons. The launch was a cross-party gathering with MPs, members of the House of Lords, activists and feminists in attendace.
Speakers were Solicitor General Vera Baird MP, Rt. Hon. Theresa May MP, Ivan Lewis MP(Under Secretary of State at DFID), Jo Swinson MP and Helen O'Connell (Head of Policy, One World Action). It was hosted by Emily Thornberry MP. Listen to the inspiring speeches and read more about the launch by clicking here.
