The Circle brochure 2016

WOMEN EMPOWERING WOMEN www.thecircle.ngo /TheCircleofWomen @CircleOrg

“The Circle is committed to empowering women and girls by using our connectivity, passion, skills and ideas to create transformative change.”

Annie Lennox

www.thecircle.ngo

WELCOME TO THE CIRCLE We are an ambitious association of women from all backgrounds and all walks of life, who want to make a difference and who share a passionate belief that an equal and fairer world is possible.

A world where women and girls are empowered, self-reliant, and able to influence the decisions that affect their lives.

We campaign for equal opportunities, raise funds to support women’s rights and work in partnership with like-minded organisations, which are already doing exceptional work.

WHO WE ARE Powering the potential of women Belong and believe In some of the most remote communities around the world, women hold the key to overcoming poverty and making change happen for themselves. The potential of women to transform their lives is unlimited – if they are given the opportunity to flourish. This is what makes us tick, drives us forward, and powers our passion for a more just, and equal world.

Our vision Equality for women and girls in a fairer world.

Our mission To inspire and connect women – create an environment where women can come together: to share experiences, harness their skills, draw on their resources, influence and bring about lasting change. Ultimately to support some of the most disempowered women and girls in the world as they challenge the injustice of inequality.

We are a network of like-minded women, working to respond to the challenges facing millions of vulnerable women and girls worldwide. We believe in the positive solutions that are already making a difference, and understand that we can all play our part.

Inform and inspire We share stories, and spread the knowledge about injustice and inequality. We inform and advise women about their rights – empowering them to reshape the policies that affect their lives. We inspire change, and in turn, are inspired by the women we work with as they strive for equality and opportunity.

Drive & do We bring women together, making connections, sharing our skills and expertise in order to raise funds and awareness about women’s issues. We use our creativity and drive to shape a more just and equitable world. And we act – doing whatever we can to support women around the globe who are working to create lasting change.

MAKING CHANGE HAPPEN An unstoppable force

Influencing change

As Circle members, we support a broad range of projects that help women to stand up for their rights.

Among our members are top human rights lawyers who carried out an extensive research project, analysing the implementation of the Maputo Protocol, which addresses the rights of women in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Stepping up protection Through its partnership with Oxfam, The Circle has funded the creation of community protection groups within 28 communities in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

These groups raise people’s awareness of the law and their rights, they enable them to identify and share information about local support services and link them with their local authorities so they can work together to make their communities safer. As part of this work, over 67,000 people have now been made aware of the rights of women and a survey of women in the communities reported 70% know where and how to report human right abuses and feel secure in doing so.

In March 2015, women in 4 of these communities held events on International Women’s Day to bring women together to discuss the issues they face in realising their rights.

Their objective was to enable the research document to be used as an advocacy tool to effect positive change and protection with regard to the legal rights of women in Africa. The report, which focussed on the implementation in Kenya, was launched in October 2014 and is now being used by national and international organisations.

To see more of our work go to www.thecircle.ngo/our-work

Your chance to ‘Be that change’

Play your part

Circle members are central to our work, our voice, our influence.

There are plenty of ways you can bring about change – using your personal skills, experience, and voice – and encouraging others to join you.

Our members are committed to raising awareness about a broad range of women’s issues – from education and livelihoods, through to maternal mortality and domestic violence. Our support will help some of the most disempowered women worldwide to fulfil their potential, claim their rights, and use their drive and determination to build a positive future.

We hope you will join us.

Spread the word and get involved in our campaigns to highlight the issues affecting women’s lives. Influence the influential and ensure women have a voice in what matters.

Attend one of our events, or organise one of your own, to raise awareness, as well as vital funds for the projects that are putting women in the driving seat.

Tell others about The Circle, what it stands for, and why we are so passionate about women’s rights. Inspire others to act.

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OUR CIRCLES Many members take action as individuals within our collective whilst others have additionally joined up with fellow members to form specialist Circles. These Circles bring women with a shared connection together so that they can work on particular projects and issues and arrange activities to raise awareness and funds.

These are our current Circles:

ITALIA

LAWYERS

Together we are a force to be reckoned with.

Women empowering women, committed to making a more just and equal world.

Please join us.

CONTACT US www.thecircle.ngo /TheCircleofWomen @CircleOrg hello@thecircle.ngo

The Circle of Women is a registered charity in England & Wales (1160293) and in Scotland (SC046315) and a registered company limited by guarantee (08993335).

Registered address: Merchant House, 30 Cloth Market, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 1EE Photo credits: Cover photo © Wall to Wall Media Ltd / Photographer Andrew Montgomery.

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