Involving Women in Decision making Case study 2010 04 

Involving Women in Wolverhampton in Local Decision-making

This case study is based on an interview with the coordinator of Women of Wolverhampton (WOW) - (previously called Women Organising in Wolverhampton). 

Women of Wolverhampton was established following the setting up of a Community Empowerment Network in the city.  It is a network of networks for women organisations. Its main aims are to improve gender equality in the city and services for women.  It enjoys good relationships with the Council and the Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) and plays a key role in facilitating the involvement of women in policy-making.

The main driver behind the establishment of WOW was the Wolverhampton Community Empowerment Network (Wolverhampton CEN). WOW was set up in 2002 as one of the thematic networks of the CEN. Its main aims are to provide a voice for women in the city; to encourage women to get involved in decision-making and to empower women to play a meaningful role in community engagement. WOW is in the process of applying for company status and charity status, but currently falls under the auspices of a local domestic violence charity, the Haven, which acts as its accountable body.