Ministry of Women's Affairs

Ministry of Women's Affairs

Context

The Ministry of Women's Affairs (MWA) is the government's source of advice on ways to improve the lives of women.

The purpose of the Ministry is to:

• advise the Minister of Women's Affairs on the implications of the government's policies in terms of their differential impact on women and on matters that have implications for or specifically relate to women
• monitor and initiate legislation and regulations in order to promote the equality of opportunity for women
• advise the Minister of Women's Affairs of suitable nominees for the appointment of women to governance bodies.

Ministry of Women's Affairs E-government Initiatives

• Intranet & Internet redevelopment
• Document management to assist website content

Summary

Ready Access: MWA provides ready access to some Ministry information on its website. Future redevelopments of the website and changes to metadata will ensure that people will have better access to relevant information about women in New Zealand and the Ministry's publications.

Alignment: As a policy agency, MWA uses the Internet effectively to provide and access information. Changes to internal information management systems aim to improve access to information internally, and facilitate better website content management. MWA uses the Internet effectively to encourage people to participate in government.

Internet and Communications Technology

MWA uses its website to provide information about the Ministry, and contact information and links to other related private sector organisations, government agencies, and a number of public sector organisations overseas.

MWA's website provides information about its nomination service. The nominations service promotes women for advisory boards and decision-making positions. People can download application forms and either email or post in their nominations. As the database of nominations already exceeds 1200 people, there is limited impetus to automate the process further using the Internet.

The Ministry uses websites extensively for research purposes, obtaining information for international comparisons, and to source data. The Ministry often uses publicly available statistical data from SNZ's and information from the Ministry of Social Development's websites.

Information management internally is being reviewed to help the organisation share information better. Following a culturally-led change to improve knowledge management, a Document Management System will be introduced that will improve content management on a redesigned intranet. Eventually, the website will be redeveloped so that it is similar to the intranet, allowing better management of information content. The new website will be designed around the information needs of users.

Ready Access to Information and Services

Metadata

MWA has 53 metadata records, a large number for the agency's size. Overall, metadata is well written for a general audience.

Metadata is highly specific, and could perhaps be written at a higher level to simplify and consolidate records. Metadata provides information about most aspects of the Ministry's work, but the Ministry should update its metadata by removing/adapting older material. This would make it easier for the general public to find relevant information about women in New Zealand and the current MWA work programme.

Metadata needs to be updated during the website redevelopment to ensure that recent publications are available via both the Ministry's site and the portal.

Website Assessment

Websites assessed during May 2004 included: www.mwa.govt.nz

Overall, there is room for improvement to the MWA website, especially in the areas of usability and information delivery. However, the information and services the Ministry is required to provide can mostly be readily accessed on its website.

Key quality issues noted during the assessment included:

• Usability and site navigation could be improved for easier use.
• Missing website policies mean users are unsure about feedback, privacy, copyright and complaints.
• Required email addresses were not available or were not answered during the assessment.
• Missing accessibility features, such as navigation skipping, access keys and style sheet problems may impede some physically impaired people's access.
• Many documents are in PDF or Word only, excluding people who are unable or unwilling to read these formats.
• Some broken links prevent people from accessing certain content.
• Contact details could be more specific, to enable responsive handling of enquiries.
• More links to other related content on the site would be useful.

Alignment With E-government Goals

Convenience and Satisfaction

The Internet has improved access to information and reports produced by MWA. Alternative contact details for MWA are available on the website.

A redevelopment of the website aims to improve website content, and more closely meet the information needs of site users.

Integration and Efficiency

Generally, there is limited scope for information integrated with information from other organisations or government agencies, although links are provided for people to access other related websites.

Participation

MWA uses the Internet effectively to encourage people to participate in government. In addition to the semi-automated nominations service that MWA provides, MWA uses email lists to keep people informed.

MWA's quarterly newsletter is available online. A survey is being conducted to determine if the newsletter could be delivered solely over the Internet.