In the next 3 years W@W will:
* continue to offer monthly training events in each geographic area based on our existing programme which emphasises confidence building and removing barriers to participation.
* organise local consultations on contemporary subjects in collaboration with partner agencies
* continue to develop our popular website, highlighting themes to stimulate the thinking of Highland, Moray and Argyll women,
* extend the distribution of our monthly e-bulletin to include more network participants.
* focus our development on excluded women, specifically carers, minority ethnic women, low-paid women and those in the remote northern areas of Caithness & Sutherland.
* initiate work on new subject areas such as ‘women and money’ ‘women and the law’ and ‘women and politics’ – as these new themes have a significant impact on the ability of women to fully participate in society.

As ever Women@Work welcomes feedback from its members. If there's something you think we should cover in our next three years, let us know!

Noting that there is still substantial pay differences between men and women, the bill will propose a number of initiatives to combat discrimination based on gender, age or disability. Full details are still to be released, but bill will
* encourage firms to hire women or ethnic minority candidates over a white male with similar qualifications
* require businesses to report on equality issues in their firms
* outlaw clauses in contracts which prohibit employees disclosing pay
* require companies bidding for work funded by taxpayers' money to demonstrate commitment to equality.

While there is general agreement that equality is important, the proposals have already provoked some controvery. Some feel the bill has been watered down, and is only a partial move towards addressing the problems. Others feel that the proposals are unworkable.

The topic is crucial to all women! Come and find out about

· Your State Pension – calculate how much you’ll get at retirement

· Top-up private pensions – how to maximise your retirement income

· Money Advice – how to choose the best source for YOU

· The Financial Services Authority – what they do and how they can help you

· Which? Campaigns and Research in Scotland

Places are limited, so booking is essential on womenatwork@weascotland.org.uk or 01463 710577. The event is free and includes lunch.

They seek views on the full draft Strategy, which includes domestic abuse, rape & sexual assault, prostitution, trafficking and other forms of commercial sexual exploitation, incest, child sexual abuse, female genital mutilation, so called ‘honour’ crimes and stalking as part of the definition of Violence Against Women. They also seek your views on the proposed structure to implement the Strategy.

The full consultation document is available in the Women@Work website Document library (Document Library - Consultations - Violence against Women Consultation). There are also two respondent forms in the same folder, one for replying to the full consultation, and one for just the framework.

This consultation will run from the 8th May to 19th June 2008.
If you are unable to comment on the full Strategy document, your views on the framework summary are appreciated. If you have any questions or queries you can contact Gillian Gunn at Gillian.gunn@hhb.scot.nhs.uk or 01463 704814.

W@W ran a special facilitated consultation event for W@W members to contribute their viewson 4th June. Participants at the meeting asked for a list of sources of help for women affected by domestic violence to be placed on the W@W website. See the Document Library.

Gillian Gunn, who is Violence Against Women Development & Training Officer for the Highland Wellbeing Alliance, will lead the session.

It will introduce the Violence Against Women Strategy and seek your views on the content. We will host a facilitated discussion on the Strategy where we will give you the opportunity to let us know:
· If you think we will meet the needs of those who have experienced Violence Against Women with this Strategy
· If you think there is anything that is not included in the Strategy that should be
· If there is anything we have included that will be unhelpful for people who have experienced Violence Against Women

· Are there particular things we need to consider in for women in particular groups (e.g. because of race, disability, sexual orientation, age)?

This session will follow on from the Inverness W@W network meeting. Please let us know in advance if you intend to come so we can send you some advance information.
Please contact WEA: tel. 01463 710577 or e-mail womenatwork@weascotland.org.uk