Get on out there! Whether you are a member of a local NCWNZ branch or of an NCWNZ Action Hub, we rely on you to help with collaborations across organisations with a similar mission to get things done at the local, regional and national levels. As stated in the NCWNZ 2020 report A Sustainable Future - Free from Gender Discrimination: "Our strength comes from our membership, which includes individuals, branches, and organisations from unions and NGOs to community organisations." 

Currently, we have 13 local branches and more than 200 member organisations, as well as individual members. In addition, we have members and non-member volunteers who serve on six Action Hubs. The Parliamentary Watch Committee, an evolution from one of the original components of the NCWNZ since its founding in 1896, coordinates the writing of official submissions and our combined input into consultations with Parliament or with international organisations such as the United Nations' international treaty, Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).

Let's take a look at the NCWNZ Constitution and Bylaws (March 2022):

• Common purpose: Members need to be committed to the purpose of NCWNZ (Bylaw 1). That purpose includes advancing the status of all women and girls to achieve gender equality (Rule 4).
• Role of NCWNZ local branches: Branches advance the purpose of NCWNZ in their local area (Bylaw 7) which includes collaborating and partnering with other organisations and engaging with the general public. 
• Role of Action Hubs:  The Action Hubs give effect to the purpose of NCWNZ through policy, actions and campaigns; support NCWNZ members to lobby decision-makers and campaign in their area; and, support people involved at a local level who are connected to Action Hubs to take action locally (Bylaw 14).

For example, the NCWNZ Manukau Branch might connect with The Family Harm Prevention Group there in Manukau to receive their input to NCWNZ action items. Once the Parliamentary Watch Committee and the NCWNZ Board finish with an official submission paper or letter, the local branch might then ask this local organisation to come forward as a supporting signatory. By connecting with the Branch in this way, the local group may eventually join NCWNZ as a member organisation and get regular updates or requests for input directly.

Another example is the leadership role undertaken by three Action Hub convenors: Eva Hartshorn Sanders (International Action Hub), Sue Kedgley (Influence and Decision-Making Action Hub), and Eileen Brown (Safety, Health and Wellbeing Action Hub). Eva has written a blog post that describes the issues involving online misogyny, the strategies for prevention currently undertaken by different countries, and how New Zealand is falling behind. (See Eva's article in Transparency, https://www.transparency.org.nz/blog/online-harm-and-why-it-matters.) After conferring with the NCWNZ Board, they sent an invitation to 25 Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) to meet to discuss the formation of a Coalition to collectively advocate, campaign and lobby for action against online harm - including legislation and independent regulation. The process will be formalised at a forthcoming launch event, and it is still ongoing.

Think about it. We rely on you to keep our collaborations authentic and vibrant.

To read more articles from The Circular (July-August 2023) issue 642, click on the tag below.