ICA Gender Equality Committee

A thematic committee of the ICA

www.ica.coop/gender

Constitution of the ICA Gender Equality Committee

Adopted in December 2000 and approved by the ICA Board in April 2001

Article 1: Name and Status

1.1 The name of the Committee is the International Co-operative Alliance Gender Equality Committee hereafter referred to as "ICA GEC".

1.2 This Committee is constituted as a specialized committee of the International Co-operative Alliance hereafter referred to as "ICA".

Article 2: The Vision and Role of the ICA GEC

2.1 Vision: The ICA GEC's vision is of a co-operative movement and societies led by women and men, and based upon both women's and men's definitions of equity, solidarity, democracy, and development. Gender integration in the co-operative movement and societies is defined as the reality whereby women's and men's values, skills and contributions are valued equally and where the organization of work and decision-making structures are based on women's needs and views as well as those of men. The realization of this vision will not only make the co-operative movement and societies truly democratic but also stronger and more successful.

2.2 Role: The ICA GEC is a forum for the discussion and the exchange of experiences and ideas on issues related to the promotion of gender equality in the world-wide co-operative movement. It is a catalyst for the implementation of the vision and aims and objectives as set out in Article 3. It also acts as a catalyst to ensure gender awareness, gender planning and gender integration within the co-operative movement are given the highest priority by all member organizations.

2.3 The ICA GEC shall facilitate the establishment of Regional Gender or Women's Committees, as regionally appropriate, as well as encouraging and promoting them. These Committees shall cover geographical areas in accordance with the ICA regional structure. The regional committees shall be fora for the exchange of experiences, studies, plans and proposals, and the discussion on issues related to the promotion of gender equality at the regional level.

2.4 The ICA GEC shall encourage regional committees who wish to do so, to submit their Constitutions to the ICA GEC for ratification.

2.5 The ICA GEC shall liase with regional offices and their gender officers or focal points to ensure co-ordination of activities.

Article 3: The Aims of the ICA GEC

3.1 The ICA GEC shall promote the aims and objects of the ICA as laid down in the ICA Rules and in particular shall direct its efforts towards the promotion of gender equality and equal opportunity for women and men in the co-operative movement.

3.2 It shall promote gender mainstreaming in every aspect of co-operative activity, including co-operative development by encouraging world-wide and regional discussion on issues relating to the equality between women and men, and; by initiating positive actions and specific measures to achieve equality between women and men.

3.3 It shall encourage women to actively participate in the policy-making and management of all co-operatives by establishing contacts with women co-operators and, where appropriate, women's co-operative organizations in all countries;

• by promoting and endorsing equal opportunities with ICA member organizations, and;
• by influencing and collaborating with appropriate ICA specialized bodies and member organizations.

3.4 It shall advise the ICA and member organizations on gender equality issues.

• by appointing a representative from the ICA GEC Executive Committee to the General Assembly in accordance with the ICA Rules (article 24);
• by participating at regional assemblies, and;
• by collaborating with the ICA Head Office, ICA Regional Offices, and ICA member organizations

3.5 It shall actively encourage the co-operative movement to provide services that are more efficient and facilities designed to promote equal opportunity and monitor progress in the promotion of gender equality. It shall call on co-operatives to promote balanced gender roles in the family and the workplace. Furthermore, it shall urge co-operatives to use their influence within the community to secure collective welfare and social services, and promote share responsibilities within the family, labour market and society.

3.6 It shall initiate and where possible co-ordinate educational and research activities which have particular relevance to the promotion of gender equality

• by pursuing research into policies which promote realigned gender roles in the workplace and family;
• by encouraging initiatives for training and research in co-operative organizations at national, regional and global levels, and,
• by organizing educational and training activities for women and men through appropriate means, i.e. seminars and courses in collaboration with co-operative and other institutions.

3.7 It shall collaborate with governmental, non-governmental agencies working on gender issues. In particular, it shall collaborate with the United Nations and its specialized agencies and international non-governmental organizations as appropriate.

3.8 It shall, funds permitting, publish information and results of the work of the ICA GEC through reports, press releases, and other appropriate means.

3.9 It shall strengthen the efforts of women and men in the promotion of lasting peace and security.

Article 4: Membership of the ICA GEC

4.1 Each organization which is member of the ICA a shall be eligible to nominate representatives or employees to be elected into the membership of the ICA GEC, provided the nominating organization recognizes the Constitution of the ICA GEC.

4.2 Each organization shall, every fourth year, be invited to nominate members, for approval by the ICA GEC at the annual Plenary meeting. The terms of office shall be four years.

4.3 Application forms shall be submitted to the Secretary of the ICA GEC at least six weeks before the annual Plenary meeting. New members may be nominated and approved every year.

4.4 Any prospective member of the ICA GEC whose application is not accepted, or any member who is asked to leave the ICA GEC, has the right of appeal at the annual Plenary meeting at which the decision is taken, or at the next annual Plenary meeting of the ICA GEC.

4.5 Hereafter "member" or "members" shall refer to the appointed members of the ICA GEC as individuals, not the nominating organization, unless otherwise stated.

Article 5: Elections

5.1 The ICA GEC shall be governed by the members attending the annual Plenary meeting.

5.2 The members shall elect a Chairperson, two Vice-Chairpersons and four other members to serve on the Executive Committee. The term shall be four years.

5.3 Notice of elections will be included in the agenda and documentation for the relevant meeting.

5.4 Election of officers shall be by simple majority of those member organizations attending the meeting at which the elections are held. Each member organization shall have one vote. In the event of a tie, lots will be drawn, or some other method agreed by the meeting will be used.

5.5 Members of the Executive Committee shall be elected as individuals, not as members of their nominating organizations. However, no nominating organization may have more than one appointed member elected to the Executive Committee at any one time.

Article 6: The Executive Committee

6.1 The Executive Committee of the ICA GEC shall consist of the elected Global Chairperson, the two elected Vice-Chairpersons and such members as elected by the members attending the annual Plenary meeting, in accordance with article 5.

6.2 The Chairpersons of regional committees whose constitutions have been ratified (clause 2.4) may also be a member of the Executive Committee.

6.3 Should a member of the Executive Committee resign, the Executive Committee may co-opt a member of the ICA GEC to fill the vacancy until the next election is held.

6.4 The Executive Committee shall implement the objectives of the ICA GEC and report progress to the annual Plenary meeting any by any other means at their disposal.

6.5 The Executive Committee shall meet at least twice a year. One of these meetings will be in conjunction with the annual Plenary meeting. Any member of the Executive Committee can request additional meetings. The request must be approved by the majority of Executive members based on an evaluation on the rationale of the meeting and proposed agenda items.

Article 7: Plenary Meetings

7.1 A meeting of the members of the ICA GEC shall be convened once a year, in conjunction with the General Assembly, and in alternate years, a regional assembly if possible. Extraordinary members' meetings shall be convened at the discretion of the Executive Committee.

7.2 Member organizations shall be entitled to send any number of appointed members to the annual Plenary meeting. All members of the ICA GEC have the right to take the floor. Observers may attend subject to the prior approval of the Executive Committee, and may take the floor at the discretion of the Chairperson. Regional Chairpersons may attend as observers if not already an appointed member of the ICA GWC.

7.3 Each member organization shall have one vote at the annual Plenary meeting and decisions shall be taken by a simple majority of those member organizations in attendance. The Chairperson will have a casting vote, except in elections (see clause 5.4).

7.4 The function of the Plenary meeting shall be to discuss and approve the future working programme and budget of the ICA GEC and when applicable, to elect the Chairperson and Executive Committee.

Article 8: Secretariat

8.1 The Secretary of the ICA GEC shall be responsible for:

• Convening all meeting, preparing agendas and supporting documentation:
• Taking and producing Minutes of meetings of the GEC;
• Liasing with the ICA Secretariat in Geneva on gender issues;
• Publicizing the work of the ICA GEC, where financial resources permit;
• Other operational and administrative work of the ICA GEC;
• Any other duties delegated by the Chairperson, Executive Committee or Plenary.

8.2 The working language of the Secretariat is English. Members are responsible for the translation of all papers into their own languages.

Article 9: Amendment to the Rules

9.1 Amendment to the Rules requires a two-third majority of those member organizations attending the annual Plenary meeting.

Article 10: Dissolution

10.1 The ICA GEC may be dissolved by the unanimous decision of two consecutive annual Plenary meetings. Members will be able to cast their votes at the annual Plenary meeting or by a written communication if they are unable to physically attend the meeting. Dissolution will require a three-quarter majority of all members eligible to vote on each occasion.