A voluntary humanitarian and development agency, WomenAid/Women of the World (WomenAid International) was founded by Pida Ripley in 1987 to

• provide support to women in crisis caused by war, poverty, repression and abuse;
• raise awareness of issues adversely affecting women and children
• act as a catalyst for international and national legislative and public policy change.

Development assistance globally ranged from building and repairing schools, supporting rescue centres for street children, repairing hospitals and providing medical equipment/supplies, microcredit support, environmental protection and water /sanitation projects. It seeks to empower women through providing access to education, training, and provision of credit.

An important activity has been WomenAid's human rights global and inter-regional campaigns promoting greater awareness of violations of women's human rights combined with demand for international and national legislative action and appropriate provision of assistance. Past campaigns include 'Tell the World' orchestrated on behalf of the rape camp survivors during the F. Yugoslavia war, 'Living Shadows' Solidarity campaign with Afghan women suffering atrocities inflicted by the Taliban, 'Shattered Lives' and 'Stop Trafficking' multimedia campaigns pioneered anti-trafficking awareness by creating global and national networks and organising training programmes, seminars and major conferences.

VOLUNTEER POLICY

From the very beginning of the organisation the role of volunteers has been paramount and the successful history of the organisation reflects their commitment to the organisation and support for its vision. Administration of the organisation in the UK is a key role of both volunteers and interns and is undertaken largely by volunteers who provide a broad range of skills, from administration, financial, marketing and fundraising to database maintenance. Those with advanced computer and website development skills are particularly welcome.

• WomenAid greatly appreciates the contribution of all its voluntary helpers, without whom its work would be much less effective. We work as a team.
• Our relationship with volunteers is informal and, as far as possible, flexible. A volunteer is not an employee. Every effort is made to meet personal requirements, such as family responsibilities, in our working arrangements.
• However, there has to be a formal basis for our work, and volunteers are entitled to certain rights as well as having certain obligations. With this in mind, if the application for a volunteer post is successful, we ask volunteers to sign an informal agreement, to be countersigned by the WomenAid administrator.
• Successful candidates will be refunded local travel costs and receive a daily lunch allowance.

APPLICATION TO WORK AS A VOLUNTEER IN THE LONDON OFFICE

Interested candidates should send a curriculum vitae and covering letter telling us about yourself, your relevant knowledge, skills and experience and why you wish to support WomenAid as a volunteer. Please attach a recent photograph and indicate your availability, days, time and period. Selected candidates will be invited for interview and may be asked to provide examples of their written work.

Telephone applications will not be accepted. Send to: womenaid@womenaid.org

IN FIELD OFFICES - CURRENT STATUS - NOT RECRUITING

As a general rule WomenAid employs both national and expatriate staff to implement projects in the field but there are a few opportunities for volunteer placements abroad. Candidates interested in working abroad should send a curriculum vitae and covering letter telling us about yourself and your relevant skills, knowledge and experience, especially information on previous work abroad. Please attach a recent photograph and indicate for what period of time you could be available. Selected candidates will be invited for interview. A minimum of two references will be required.

Telephone applications will not be accepted. Send to: womenaid@womenaid.org

ALL INFORMATION SUPPLIED WILL BE TREATED IN STRICTEST CONFIDENCE.

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