‘Operation Big Ears’, headed by Pregs Govender, eventually got underway in July 1993. It is estimated that the campaign and the research reached more than two million women despite internal conflicts about the direction, content, and style of the campaign. 

The outcome of the research component was a two-volume study analysing the findings which came from the multiple research methods – chain letters, questionnaires, demands made at meetings and conferences, and the focus groups. Three key researchers were Debbie Budlender (who conceptualised the research process for the WNC but resigned due to internal conflicts and frustrating delays in the research process); Moira Maconachie (a member of the RSG) and Milla Macloughlin (from the Development Bank of South Africa). 

The findings of the research formed the basis of the ‘Women’s Charter for Effective Equality’ which was initially drafted by members of the research team and Prof Sheila Meintjes, a member of the WNC’s steering committee and chair of the Research Supervisory Group. The draft charter was put together by a small team working against the clock.  Despite the efforts of the Research Supervisory Group, the early differences within the coalition slowed down the charter process to the extent that it could have little influence on the constitutional drafting process. Nevertheless, the Charter represented the possibility of a national consensus among women about the minimal demands of the women’s movement.