Big Society: Women’s Organisations

Debate between Baroness Gould of Potternewton and Baroness Warsi

Tuesday 8th March 2011 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Gould of Potternewton]

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how local and regional women’s organisations will be involved in the Big Society agenda.

[Baroness Warsi]

My Lords, it is a pleasure to answer this Question on the day of the centenary celebrations of International Women’s Day. I am sure that the House will join me in paying tribute to the millions of women around the world who continue to struggle and campaign for equality, dignity and respect. The big society is about a volunteering, social action, philanthropic approach to life, but it is also about the opening up of public services to local control and the devolution of power from Whitehall to local communities. This offers women’s groups and organisations an excellent opportunity to get more involved in their local communities and to have a say.

[Baroness Gould of Potternewton]

My Lords, I thank the Minister for that reply, but it seems a little contradictory that, at the same time as the Government are setting up this rather costly structure of community organisers, experienced and committed women’s organisations such as Refuge and outreach organisations are being closed down through lack of funding. Would it not be much more sensible to use what we already have, train them up and get them to be part of the big society?