Rotherham - Working Together for Women

This is an exciting time for women in Rotherham as the borough's first women’s strategy has been developed. We have taken a partnership approach with the work led by a working group that includes local voluntary and community sector organisations (Apna Haq, Diversity Forum, GROW, REMA, Rotherham Women's Refuge, SYWDT, UMCC, VAR); all directorates of the Council, Rotherham Primary Care Trust, South Yorkshire Police, Rotherham Chamber of Commerce and MEP Linda McAvan’s Office. Councillors Hilda Jack and Jo Burton are the Chair and Vice-chair respectively.

The launch of the strategy formed part of Rotherham's first women's equality conference on 5 March 2008, held at Silverwood Miners' Welfare Centre, Dalton.

Why we have a women’s strategy for Rotherham

The strategy aims to make sure the needs of women are identified and addressed, as many key plans and policies do not really take account of any differences in needs and priorities between women and men. Research and statistics show that there are still many arenas where women experience inequality and disadvantage due to their gender, and in addition women face further discrimination due to factors such as age, sexuality, disability, ethnicity or faith. Another important aim is to make sure that women’s achievements and contributions in all fields are recognised and celebrated.

In addition, from April 2007 there has been a new gender equality duty in place to eliminate sex discrimination and to promote equality between women and men. Public bodies like the Council have to demonstrate that they treat women and men fairly with regard to policy making, public services and employment practices. The work on this duty will address issues for both women and men and the women’s strategy is contributing towards this. Other work is already addressing some of the areas where men and boys experience disadvantage.

Consultation and involvement

Our consultation sub-group, with representatives from GROW, REMA, Rotherham Women's Refuge and the Council, met regularly to plan and organise consultation events. We wanted to ensure that local women in Rotherham from all sections of the community, and other key stakeholders and partners, had the opportunity to contribute to the development of the Women’s Strategy.

We welcome your feedback and comments on the final strategy. Please e-mail your comments to us at women@rotherham.gov.uk or print off the feedback form below and post it back, the freepost address is on the form.

Rotherham Women's Strategy (788kb)           RWS leaflet - Arabic (587kb)

   RWS Action Plan (288kb)                              RWS leaflet - Chinese (661kb)

   RWS summary leaflet (141kb)                        RWS leaflet - Farsi (500kb)

RWS feedback form (24kb)                           RWS leaflet - French (727kb)

                                                                        RWS leaflet - Urdu (616kb)

The first annual report of Rotherham Women's Strategy Group is published below, which we hope you will find interesting and informative.

RWSG Annual Report 2007-8 (346kb)

Links to our partners' websites:

  GROW
  Rotherham Chamber
  Rotherham Ethnic Minorities Alliance (REMA)
  Rotherham Partnership
  Rotherham Primary Care Trust
  Rotherham Women's Refuge
  South Yorkshire Police
  South Yorkshire Women's Development Trust
  United Multi Cultural Centre (UMCC)
  Voluntary Action Rotherham (VAR)