International links
We are part of a powerful group of women’s groups around the world
We are part of a network of powerful women’s groups around the world. There are National Councils of Women in countries including Canada, Egypt, New Zealand, and Australia.
We have Special Consultative Status at the United Nations through ECOSOC- the UN Economic and Social Council. This gives us a global platform to make our voice heard at international conferences such as the United Nations Annual Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in New York.
The International Council of Women (ICW)
NCWGB is affiliated to the ICW. ICW is the first truly global women’s non-governmental organisation (NGO), which was founded in 1888 for the advancement of women all over the world. Over the past 134 years, the ICW has remained an active pioneer in promoting international women’s rights.
ICW-CIF (Conseil International des Femmes) was there when the United Nations was formed to make sure the United Nations Charter included women’s equal rights and to set up the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). NCWGB has been there through the United Nations Decade for Women and four world conferences, including the Beijing Conference of 1995 and Beijing +25.
European Centre of the International Council of Europe (ECICW)
ECICW was founded in Switzerland in 1961 and has Participatory Status with the Council of Europe, and, through ICW, a consultative status at the UN. ECICW is also one of the founding members of the European Women’s Lobby (EWL). Great Britain is an affiliated member along with 21 other national councils.
ECICW’s aim is to empower women and promote their participation in decision-making at national and European levels; to support human rights and to eliminate all kinds of discrimination; to encourage sustainable development and peace. Activities of ECICW include information, education through seminars and programmes in the fields of trafficking, prostitution, violence, health, ageing, abuse of children, democratic process.
The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
NCWGB achieved consultative status to ECOSOC in 2000 and is subject to a four-yearly review of its goals and activities, in order to continue with ECOSOC accreditation.
Consultative status with ECOSOC entitles NGOs to take part in meetings of the Economic and Social Council, its subsidiary bodies, the Human Rights Council and other intergovernmental meetings.
Each year, a calendar is produced of the ECOSOC system and bodies opened to NGOs in consultative status with the Council. Other meetings open to NGOs in consultative status may be organised over the year, and NGOs are advised to check the relevant websites of the United Nations (General Assembly, ECOSOC) for updated information.
At NCW we take part in the many international days dedicated to issues affecting women across the world.
- International Women’s Day: 8 March
- World Water Day: 22 March
- International Day for Eradicating Obstetric Fistula: 23 May
- International Widows Day: 23 June
- International Day of Peace: 21 September
- International Day of the Girl Child: 11 October
- International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women: 25 November [beginning 16 days of activism]
- Human Rights Day: 10 December
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
This agenda provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. At its heart are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are an urgent call for action by all countries – developed and developing – in a global partnership. They recognise that ending poverty and deprivation must go hand in hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests. The SDGs build on decades of work by countries and the UN.
Become a member
Join a network of people who care about the lives of all women.
NCW in action
Our latest resolutions tackle overseas poverty, climate change, and innovation.
