WHO WE ARE

About us

The Commonwealth Women’s Network (CWN) brings together women and gender focused civil society organisations from around the Commonwealth.

CWN is the longest established Commonwealth Accredited Organisation, recognised by Commonwealth Secretariat and Commonwealth Foundation focused on Gender equality.

CWN mobilises greater investment in gender equality and women’s empowerment. It works to ensure women and girls reach their full potential develop their leadership skills to create gender balance in all decision-making spheres. CWN agenda covers women rights, removes stereotypical roles of women, promotes economic independence to eradicate poverty and works for a society free of violence among other issues.

Governance Structure

Good governance is the strength of our commitment to the administrative responsibilities of the network, by outreaching community with active role in governing, empowering, advocating, training, supporting associations and delivering our activities.
The Commonwealth Women’s Network is made up of its members and Executive Committees which includes the Chairperson and six regional focal points, one each from the CWN regions of the Commonwealth member countries.

Our history

The history of the Commonwealth Women Network powered thus;
Under the preparation of the Commonwealth of Nations to participate in the United Nations Beijing world women conference, her royal majesty Queen Elizabeth II, head of the Commonwealth call the secretary general of Commonwealth Secretariat the leading international intergovernmental organisation to enable all women and their network organisations across the Commonwealth of nations to prepare a single document to be presented on the theme Action for Equality, Development and Peace at Beijing world conference on Women in 1995.

CWN governance procedures are composing of

GENERAL ASSEMBLY

1. Representatives The General Assembly shall elect on valid nominations, the prescribed number of Regional Representatives for each Region of the Network. The General Assembly shall at the meeting receive nominations from the floor and present to each ordinary meeting of the General Assembly.
2. Budget of the organization for the next financial year and a financial projection for subsequent financial years.
3. The audited accounts of the organization for the financial year or years since the last audited accounts were presented to the General Assembly.
4. For valid nomination express in writing.
5. Be proposed and seconded by Members of a Branch or Branches within the Region which the nominee, if elected, would represent. 6. Nominate a person, qualified under Article 33, who is a Member of a Branch in the Region which is to be represented by the nominee if elected, and (iv) nominate a person who may be an Acting or Alternate Regional Representative but who is not an elected Regional Representative then in office.
7. May establish subcommittees and validate appoint as a Member any Regional Representative, and (i) may delegate the exercise of its powers to any Officer of the Association or any Member of a Branch of the Association qualified under Article 33, the Vice-Chairperson of the Executive Committee or alternate as determined by Article 21(5), the Treasurer or Acting Treasurer as determined by Article 22(4).
8. The Chairperson of the Commonwealth Women Network sections or alternate as determined by Article 25(4) and the Small Branches Chairperson or alternate as determined by Article 25(5).
INTERNATIONAL BOARD OF GOVERNORS

Chairperson CWN chairperson is the Chair of the organization which has been selected to host the CWN. Criteria for the chairperson include:
- Has good national, regional and international knowledge, experience in organisational management and contacts.
- Has experience running an umbrella group or networks.
- Has operational leadership experience and participating in international events.
- Has sufficient time and resources to direct and monitor an international network through her wide knowledge in risk management and financial procurement.
- Support loyalty and welcome bilateral cooperation and denounce racial discrimination.
International Board of Governor Secretariat
The international secretary general plays a key role in the general secretariat at the international level, prepares regional appointments, general administration, regional finance management and auditing.
Sub Departments
The international board is made of sub departments that work in collaboration with the headquarters and the office of the international secretariat.
Regional Board of Governors and Directors

Regional Board of Governors and Directors
Control the assets of the network a. The Chairperson of the Executive Committee board of Governors, Regional Director and Directors of the network, the Vice-Chairperson of the Executive Committee, subject to Article 22(5)(b), the Treasurer shall be entitled to serve as ex officio members of all subcommittees of the Executive Committee but without right of vote. Experience and authority to examine, and report to the board of governors on the financial affairs of the organisation.
b. Shall establish a Finance Subcommittee in accordance with paragraph (5); 21 (c) shall determine the establishment, and the terms and conditions of employment of the staff, of the Secretariat.
Oversee the implementation of practices, policies and procedures of the Executive Committee between meetings, ensure follow-up on Executive Committee 22 decisions, recommend that the Secretary-General invoke Article 27(7) on any urgent and critical issues as may arise between Executive Committee meetings, oversee the development of issues to be brought before the Executive Committee and report any recommendations to the Executive Committee at its next meeting.
c. The Secretary-General, without right of vote.
d. As is practical, meet immediately before each full Executive Committee meeting and as necessary between meetings.
e. Except in exceptional circumstances and always with the concurrence of the Chairperson of the Executive Committee or, subject to Article 21(3), the Vice Chairperson of the Executive Committee, shall receive from the Secretary-General thirty days’ written notice of the date and venue of a meeting.
f. Be chaired by the Chairperson of the Executive Committee or, in the absence of the Chairperson, the Deputy, or in case of absence the Vice-Chairperson of the Executive Committee, and the Member chairing a meeting shall have a vote.
g. In the event of an equality of votes, decide questions in the negative prevail to (h).
h. Have a quorum for its meetings of three, provided that the Members present shall be Members of Branches from at least two Regions of the organisation.
Director of Cabinet Direct all governance procedures in daily basis including respecting the articles of the network, coordinate the electoral central board in overseeing elections, developing and implementing the annual work plan, collecting and preserving data on membership, ensuring proper financial procedures, including budget and monitoring of accounts; communicating with the member governments and all stakeholders. At a meeting of the General Directorate held at the time of a plenary conference: (a) where the President or Vice-President is unable to attend, the leader of the delegation to the plenary conference from the Branch of which the Officer is a member shall be entitled to attend the meeting as an alternate in place of the Officer;
(b) Where a regional representative is unable to attend;
(i) The delegation to the plenary conference from the branch of which the representative is a member shall be entitled to nominate a member of the delegation to attend the meeting as an alternate in place of the Representative;
(ii) In the absence of that delegation, the delegation to the plenary conference from the stand by branch of the region shall be entitled to make such a nomination;
(iii) In the absence of a delegation from the stand-by branch, the delegates to the plenary conference from the branches of the region shall be entitled to nominate one of their members as an alternate to attend the meeting in place of the representative.
At all meetings of the Board of Director’s or national/international events which the Chairperson of the Commonwealth Women Network is unable to attend, the Deputy, or Regional Director of CWN, shall be entitled to attend the meeting in place of the above, or entitled to nominate an alternate. At all meetings of the General Directorate which the Small branches Chairperson is unable to attend, an alternate nominated by the small branches shall be entitled to nominate.
Regional Secretariat (Regional Secretary General) The regional secretariat operates and maintains the principles and values of the Commonwealth and the Governance Handbook of CWN. Structure the continental board meetings and appointments, reports on activities relating to the civil society actions of the organisation and the section activities. The integral part of library programs with the library assistant, regional diplomatic protocols and secretariat activities.
Regional Directorates

The continental board task is subdivided into regional directorates where the administrative activities of the organisation is manage with the region.

Mission

Lead civil society organisations on implementing gender mechanism of Commonwealth, United Nations, Africa Union and other intergovernmental organisations policies not leaving out the world conference Beijing plan of action on women's, youth, ageing and disables in Commonwealth and beyond.

Vision

CWN promote and organise exchange experiences on gender policy development, economic empowerment between women of commonwealth countries and beyond.

Principles

The principles and values of the Commonwealth remain the core principles of CWN as benefits, responsibilities and obligations are stated in Chapter C and D of the Commonwealth Charter, and seconded by the bylaws stipulated in the CWN Governance Handbook.

Our Team

International Board of Governors
(IBOG CWN Chair in office)

Regional Board of Governors
(RBOG)

Our partners

Strategic Partners

Nuc-Fey-Group

The pride of africa business development and consulting

Go to site web →

P.M.S

ADVICE, STUDIES, FUNDRAISING, PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION

Go to site web →

GLOBAL BLACK TRIBE

Provider of innovative solutions for health and social care organisations.

Go to site web →

BIA

gateway and integrator of choice to facilitate all your payments

Go to site web →

MEMBERSHIP

CWN connecting, supporting, promoting women, gender and economic empowerment across the Commonwealth and beyond.

CWN ORGANOGRAM

Accredited Organisations
visit the website >>>

Commonwealth Women Forum (CWF)

Commonwealth Women’s Affairs Ministerial Meeting (WAMM)

Commonwealth Secretariat Gender Program.

VOLUNTEERS

The work that we do would not be possible without our volunteers. Do something amazing and make today the day you volunteer – donating your time, and expertise could make all the difference.
Volunteering with CWN is a phenomenal way of making a real difference in thesociety. Few organisations can offer you the opportunity to participate in such a broad variety of programs, economic empowerment seminars, youth & gender policies, events, training andactivities.
We willcomplement your skills and experience with areas of interest to you. You’ll meet like-minded people, have a lot of fun and know you’ll be making a lasting variance.

Some of our volunteers

Name and small description