Changes in the way we work this century
So much has changed in the way WILPF UK works since the turn of the century. Back then, groups of members used to gather together to fold, envelope and stamp any notices or information being dispatched to our membership. Now almost all communications use email, and use is made of the latest technology, website and social media. A regular publication – Peace and Freedom News – used to be sent to members several times a year but has now been replaced by a monthly email newsletter. The style of our annual report gradually improved from being unillustrated cyclostyled text through black and white printing to the attractive and colourful version we have now.
A very big change has been the establishment of our office. In 2006, after some years without any headquarters for our national organisation, an opportunity arose to take a lease on a small office in Tindlemanor, a women-only building in London. Initially a generous donation paid our rent until we obtained a three-year core funding grant from Polden Puckham Charitable Foundation. Another grant, from Alan and Nesta Ferguson Charitable Trust, enabled us to appoint a part-time Campaigns Coordinator, Sasha Jesperson.
When grants for core funding (i.e. our running expenses) became impossible to obtain, and some donors limited gifts to charities, we investigated the possibility of becoming a charity but our political activities prevented this. However, it was possible to establish a separate UK WILPF Charitable Trust which could cover human rights, and this was set up in 2009.
The Covid-19 pandemic put a temporary stop to physical meetings, but afterwards arrangements did not return to the previous “normal”. There was a huge increase in the use of Zoom or similar online platforms. This has the advantage of enabling more people to take part in events, discussions and meetings without travelling, but it has reduced opportunities for face-to-face contacts both between our members and with the general public. Fewer physical events by all organisations means that we have fewer stalls and so there are less opportunities for sales of our T-shirts and for talking to the public.
Like some other similar organisations we were running into legal difficulties because we were an unincorporated organisation. The turning point came when our landlords demanded that individual members of our Executive Committee should take personal responsibility for underwriting the rent. So, the decision was made to establish a company limited by guarantee. From 29 March 2022 we became the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom UK Section Limited.
Despite all these changes our principles are still the same and WILPF UK has continued to campaign on the issues we care about.
Our members have been on marches and demonstrations, against the Iraq war, the situation in Gaza or the DSEI (Defence and Security Equipment International) arms fair, and many more. We have been represented at the International Conscientious Objectors’ Day in Tavistock Square, London, and been present at Hiroshima Day remembrance events. We have been constantly making our presence felt both to the government in Westminster and the devolved government in Scotland. Seminars once or twice a year on a range of relevant topics were arranged until the Covid pandemic brought that to an end, but since then we have inaugurated a series of webinars which are attracting a good audience.
WILPF UK is always conscious that it is part of a worldwide organisation, WILPF International, which has continued to send delegates to the various international and regional European meetings. In addition, we have funded representatives to go to the United Nations meetings and take part in side events, such as at the Commission on the Status of Women in New York.
Branches
Our Branches have been at the frontline of activities to forward our aims. During the 21st century we have had about six active branches, although there have been changes in the localities. So much depends on having good local leadership. Brighton and Orpington Branches have been long established, and during this time we have also had Branches in Cornwall, Leicester, Liverpool, London, Norwich, Sheffield, South Wales and Worthing as well as some short-lived student groups. Our Scottish Branch re-formed in 2009 and has been very active.
Some highlights of what we have been doing since 2000
Last review date
European Social Forum (ESF) (2004)
WILPF UK attended the preparatory sessions and networked with other campaigning organisations to put forward seminars and a workshop at the European Social Forum (ESF), a huge well-attended three-day event held at Alexandra Palace in London in October 2004. We were instrumental in calling a women’s ESF outreach meeting and were involved in four seminars. Our own workshop was entitled Building Peace, Opposing War: Women’s Activism. The WILPF stall did a brisk trade, and it was a great opportunity to talk to members of the public who were present at this event.
Embassies Walks (2005)
WILPF UK took responsibility for organising the annual “Embassy Walks”: visits (with partner organisations) to London embassies to discuss the different obligations of States to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Our members formed half the participants in the important discussions with the UK and international diplomats.
International Executive Committee (IEC) (2006)
UK WILPF stepped in at the last minute to host the WILPF International Executive Committee (IEC) meeting in London, 8–12 September 2006. A WILPF UK team was established to work on this major organisational exercise. We applied to the UK government for visas and made some successful applications for grants to help WILPF delegates from countries without funding to come to London. Accommodation was booked at Avery Hill (University of Greenwich) for over 100 participants including a young WILPFers “Gertrude Baer” group. The formal timetable of events was governed by WILPF International but there were opportunities for networking and social pleasures, including everyone joining in singing protest songs! The highlight of the event was welcoming delegates from Israel, Palestine and Lebanon together on one platform.
Capitalwoman
WILPF UK took every practicable opportunity to spread our message by booking stalls at major appropriate events. When Ken Livingstone was Mayor of London, he recognised the significant and vital contribution of women to London’s economy and also some of the barriers they face. He organised major annual conferences of women and WILPF UK attended, including having a stall. When Ken Livingstone was no longer Mayor of London (2008) these conferences stopped.
Voices of African Women (VoAW) (2008 onwards)
In 2006, Marie-Claire Faray brought a group of London-based Congolese women to a “Connect” day which we ran to introduce new members to WILPF. From this grew our Voices of African Women (VoAW) Campaign when in November 2008 we hosted a successful three day seminar series on the Voices of African Women. Several UK-based NGOs brought African women activists from partner organisations in Sudan, Malawi, Nigeria, Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to London. The series included a Select Committee-style meeting in Parliament chaired by Jeremy Corbyn, and a round table meeting at Chatham House, together with a public meeting at the Amnesty Action Centre A key outcome was a Declaration written by the African women, which we took to Downing Street, and WILPF and VoAW used as a campaigning tool collecting signatures online to continue to develop tactics and strategies on African women’s empowerment and equality. Over the years VoAW campaigns included a series of women’s delegations visiting London African embassies to highlight women’s rights in their home countries, training days led by Marie-Claire to empower women to respond to domestic violence and misogyny and regular VoAW meetings until the Covid pandemic, which provided a discussion forum for diaspora women, with their many connections to African countries, and a channel for the dissemination of information including human rights.
The African Women’s Decade 2010-2020 was inaugurated with a major meeting at London University’s School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), when the Maputo Protocol was read, and there was a celebration including releasing balloons.
Celebrations of our centenary (2015)
WILPF UK members were deeply involved in the various celebrations of our 100th anniversary in 2015. Thirty UK members travelled to The Hague for the International WILPF Conference and Congress, where we led workshops, had a stall, and Asha Parkinson performed with her jazz band and our own Cynthia Cockburn drafted the Centenary Manifesto. Within the UK our Branches organised exhibitions and other events. For more information on the history reenactments, films and exhibitions that marked this major landmark in our history see: Celebrating Our History
Voices of Refugee Women (2017)
Our autumn seminar aimed to show solidarity with refugee women and raise awareness of what their lives are really like, and some of the difficulties they face, for example in how to present their cases to claim asylum and claim legal aid. A booklet was produced, Voices of Refugee Woman: Tales from women seeking asylum.
Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) (2017)
Several WILPF UK activists were part of the strong delegation of anti-nuclear campaigners, including delegates from WILPF International, who attended the UN General Assembly and lobbied State delegates to achieve the adoption of the TPNW in July 2017. This long looked-for Treaty came into force on 22 January 2021, and by 2024 had 93 signatories and 70 States Parties. WILPF is part of ICAN – the International Campaign Against Nuclear weapons which was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize for the work on the TPNW. Since then, WILPF UK has sent delegates to the two annual meetings of TPNW States Parties.
Climate Justice Exhibition (2021)
Our strong WILPF UK climate justice campaign prepared for COP 26 (the UN Conference of Parties) in Glasgow in November 2021 by creating a major exhibition with portable panels, together with an explanatory booklet. The exhibition highlights several climate justice issues that have not yet been addressed. Thanks to the efforts of members it continues to be exhibited in libraries, community centres, churches and meeting houses across the UK. Read more about our climate action advocacy.
Updated 31/5/2024
