Six-0 Group

The Six-0 Group, comprising the six UK organisations below, meets periodically with the Minister for Women to discuss issues of the day. The next meeting is on 17 January, 2012 at the Offices of the Townswomen's Guild, Birmingham.


Business and Professional Women

British Federation of Women Graduates

Townswomen's Guilds

National Federation of Women's Institutes

The National Council of Women and

Soroptimist International - represented by the UKPAC

Extract of Federation President's letter

There follows an extract of Federation President, Maureen Maguire's 5 January letter to clubs.

"My next meeting was with the Presidents/Chairs of the “Six O Group” and the Minister for Equality and Women, Lynne Featherstone. I was very pleased to be given this opportunity, not only to meet with Ms Lynne Featherstone, but it also to meet with the leaders of the other five organisations. Our discussions centred on the issues which are important within all of our organisations – the strengthening of women’s voices; female trafficking, domestic violence, internet pornography, the role of women in Afghanistan; forced marriages.

"It is remarkable and perhaps satisfying to learn that all of these organisations although different in the ways in which we operate, all are concerned with the difficulties which women and girls face in to-day’s world. All present indicated that we would welcome on-going discussion and communication with the Minister on all issues pertaining to women. The Minister, in return, indicated that she would be willing to meet with groups in workshop or seminars etc.; hence an invitation has been issued for the Federation Conference in Belfast.

"I have also agreed, on your behalf, that we would be very keen to have articles in our magazine, to add link on our website, encourage our club to write to her on all matters affecting women. The Minister also indicated that if the issue sent is not within her remit, she would forward on any correspondence to the correct Government Department/official. This link is really good news, let’s use it – so Programme Action Officers – you now have an in-road to Government.

"May I also urge you all to access the following links"

• Link to the Women’s page on Home Office website: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/equalities/women/
• Link to GEO Women’s Engagement Newsletter, this will enable members to see previous publications http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk?publications/equalities/womens-equality/womens-newsletter/may/june  
• Links to information on Mentoring: http://getmentoring.org/get-involved  and www.mentorsme.co.uk

The latest meeting of the Group

On 23 August 2011, Sue Biggs (outgoing UKPAC Chairman) and Heather Knott (UKPAC Website & Promotions Officer) attended a meeting of the Six-0 Group at the Offices of The British Federation of Women Graduates at Battersea Park Road. Following are extracts from the minutes of that meeting.

The discussions with the Government Equalities Office (GEO) representative at the January meeting had mainly focused on ‘communication’ and it had been felt that communication channels were very poor, not all Six-0 member organisations were on the database and they were not all receiving the GEO newsletter on a regular basis. However, it was now agreed that communication was very much improved and this should be fed back in a positive way to the GEO in the second part of the meeting.

There was some preparation for meeting with the GEO later in the afternoon. It was decided to: 

• Give positive feedback regarding communication since previous meeting
• Listen first to their input and then ask questions
• What questions are to be put to government; an external independent voice was required – perhaps the role of the Six-0 Group? How can it get a group view across to government?
• What feedback has been received from the regional CEDAW consultations and how can Six-0 become involved in the shadow report?
• It is important to have an established relationship with one named individual e.g. Sarah Morgan
• Areas of concern? Women are suffering because of the cuts from many aspects e.g. pensions, employment, women in positions of power
• Feedback on the newsletter – needs to be more ‘user friendly’

GEO

After lunch there was the meeting with Helene Reardon-Bond and Michael Gibbs-Murray from the GEO.

Helene Reardon-Bond reported as follows:

• The Strengthening Women’s Voices consultation with women’s organisations had gone very well
• There were 1200 responses to the online digital survey
• 19 events had taken place around the UK with 600 women taking part
• Survey has been analysed by Sarah Morgan and findings are being sent to ministers [The report was published in November 2011] 
• Emerging issues: face to face dialogue is important and feedback is essential; talk of a consortium being established; the WNC model will not be replicated; inter-ministerial group now up and running.
• Important to have a consistent relationship between Six-0 and GEO
• CEDAW examination will be in 2013 but there will be additional papers ahead of the examination; how can Six-0 be involved in submitting shadow reports? ACTION: Michael Gibbs-Murray is to circulate a link on shadow and periodic reporting.
• Newsletter should be more focused i.e. flagging up important issues
• Website should signpost important full reports
• During October there will be pre-CSW consultations on rural women and gender responsive budgeting involving all major government departments
• Request: Six-0 members' newsletters and magazines are sent to Helene Reardon-Bond to give her a flavour of each organisation
  ACTION: AW to circulate contact details for Helene Reardon-Bond, Sarah Morgan and Michael Gibbs-Murray

Follow-up comments:

• A positive experience; refreshing to hear plain speaking
• Need to ensure there is regular attendance at Six-0 meetings; this will be dependent on what issues come out of the report from the consultation
• Six-0 has a responsibility to those women who will be ‘by passed’ by these consultations etc.

Trafficking and the Olympics
Papers had been circulated from Sue Ashmore and a concern she had concerning a London focus rather than looking further afield e.g. in the North East.

Sue Biggs reported that not only the Metropolitan Police but also the forces in Dorset and Essex had undergone training but we are not sure to what extent other forces across the country have been involved. She will send a copy to each organisation of the CD ‘Behind the Smile’ issued by the Anti-Trafficking Alliance. Sue went on to flag up 18 October as Anti-Slavery Day with a presence in Trafalgar Square and also the new posters on the website of the Purple Tear Drop Campaign.

Individual Six-O Reports:

• Reports from each organisation had been previously circulated or were tabled at the meeting; there was no time for discussion.
• Due to lack of time there was no discussion on joint action/activities; this will be an agenda item in January and no doubt there will be some issues which come from the consultation report which can be addressed singly or collectively.

Six-0 Group Structure:
As some attendees had to leave early due to travel arrangements, and also due to the lack of time, this item will be carried over to the next agenda.