11. She also wished to pay tribute to the role which non-governmental organizations in the United Kingdom played in the consultative process that contributed to Government policy-making. The Government welcomed and valued its contacts with organizations concerned with the status of women in the United Kingdom. 12. The Women's National Commission, set up in 1969, acted as an advisory committee for channelling women's views to government departments and other public bodies. Fifty women's organizations from throughout the United Kingdom were represented on it. It was chaired jointly by a representative elected by Commission members and a minister nominated by the Prime Minister. That minister also represented it in the Ministerial Group on Women's Issues. The Commission and other women's organizations took a keen interest in the Government's progress in implementing the Convention and the Forward-looking Strategies. In recognition of that interest, and in view of the importance which the Government attached to maintaining good relations with those organizations and taking account of their views, she would be reporting back to the Commission and other women's organizations on her appearance before the Committee at a forthcoming seminar. 13. The United Kingdom was fully committed to equality between women and men in the work place. It recognized the important contribution which women made to the economy and since its report had been prepared, public, employer and media interest in women's employment and in measures to help women return to work had increased markedly. There had been a number of encouraging practical developments. The first requirement for equality was a job and the Government had helped create an economic climate in which business could flourish and thus provide more jobs and opportunities. More and more women were taking advantage of the new job opportunities available to them as a result of continuing economic growth.
**Analysis**
The text primarily focuses on the government's policies and initiatives towards women's empowerment, employment, and equality, as well as the role of non-governmental organizations in shaping these policies. It highlights the government's commitment to creating an economic climate that provides more job opportunities for women, as well as the increasing public interest in women's employment and measures to help women return to work.

**Category**
Employment, Humanitarian aid and relief