In 2007- 2008 changes undertook research for the Government Equalities Office to produce guidance on models, approaches and resources which can be used to encourage, equip and support women who are currently under represented, to become more active, both formally and informally, in governance structures and other aspects of both civic and civil life. The findings from that research are contained in this part of the website, plus additional contextual information.
Closing the Gap - click here to download (2.07Mb) - is a report on the findings of the Women Take Part project supported by the Government Equalities Office and the Department for Communities and Local Government, highlighting what needs to be done to encourage more women to play an active role in civic and civil life.
The research undertaken by changes and associates looked at the participation of women, in particular under-represented women, in governance and decision making, in both community and public life, collecting information about two sides of the story:
Closing the Gap highlights the ‘zapper’ effect where women feel excluded, and frustrated by the way business is conducted. So, as well as encouraging more and different women to become more constructive, critical, cooperative, confident and challenging in the public domain, there have to be changes in how organisations and structures work. If this doesn’t happen, even though the pool of women might increase and expand, women will still experience the ‘zapper effect’.
The report provides a summary of the research findings and guidance on models and approaches which can be used to encourage, equip and support women. It is a resource for Government and other agencies, from which they can extract information and ideas to inform delivery of relevant performance targets.
The report draws on contemporary research and knowledge and explores the inequalities surrounding women’s active participation in public life. It emphasises the need to develop and grow the ‘pool’ of women available for civil participation and civic engagement, and outlines the support that different women may need at different points along their journey.
The research included a literature review, focus groups with women, and interviews with civic, civil and voluntary sector organisations and a national event.
See the Executive Summary (900Kb)
The following are associated reports ...
Click here to download (950Kb)
This report is based on the research findings, other contemporary research and commentary and outlines a four-stage model of organisational journeys towards a genuine willingness to change, take risks and do things differently to increase gender parity and equality within their organisation. The indicators for each stage are described and issues and organisational challenges raised through the research are considered. A series of organisational case studies are presented which highlight some examples of organisational good practice.
The overall purpose of the Women Take Part event was to bring together the research findings so far, both in terms of what organisations need to be doing to ‘recruit’ and encourage more women, as well as the learning around ‘learning programmes/approaches’. It provided an opportunity for dialogue from both ‘sides’ and explored different aspects of what needs to happen to increase the numbers of women involved in governance and decision making at all levels. The feedback from the event was then combined with other research findings.
Click here to download (540Kb)
As part of the Women Take Part research, we set up a Survey Monkey questionnaire to gather information from a wider range of people on what needs to happen to increase women’s participation and influence. We summarised the responses and presented them to participants at the Women Take Part event to add their thoughts and comments. This document provides a compilation of all responses.
Click here to download (575Kb)
This aspect of the research looked at specific initiatives to encourage and support more women to gain the skills, knowledge and confidence to enter and stay in public life. We have tried to map and categorise what seems to be a fairly fragmented field covering the voluntary and community sectors, higher education and the public sector. We specifically asked about, and have reported on, learning opportunities for women, and that directly relate to them becoming more active in community and public life.
Click here to download (1.32Mb)
The intention was to explore the range of opportunities ‘out there’ for women and to ascertain the relevancy of the ‘Four Essential Ingredients’ used in the Take Part Learning Framework, to see how useful this framework is in different contexts to encourage different women to become, active and critical citizens.
This focus group was hosted by the Gender and Participation Unit at
Click here to download (222Kb)
This report is based on two focus groups, one in Bath & North East Somerset and one in
The findings from these groups show that when voluntary and community organisations are very small, often with no paid staff, women are far more likely than men to be running them and to be members of the management group. Once the organisation’s expenditure increases the number of men on the management group also increases and the numbers of women in the governance and management role decreases.
The report highlights some of the many issues and barriers that need to be addressed to support and encourage more women to 'get there' and 'stay there'!