UNISON has almost one million women members - more than two thirds of our union. Women still earn a lot less than men and face sex discrimination and harassment at work. Our members also juggle work and home commitments. Many have caring responsibilities and almost half work part-time. This is why UNISON takes a lead on negotiating and campaigning on women's rights at work and in the community. To get involved in our campaign go to 
Equal Pay.
Queen's speech 2013 - for women?
The Queen's Speech was trailed as being aimed at women. Dave Prentis has already expressed our concerns www.unison.org.uk/asppresspack/pressrelease_view.asp?id=3054Ceri Goddard of the Fawcett Society also notes: "If planned deregulation means further erosion of workplace rights and protections, this won’t only expose thousands more women to unfair discrimination, it is a false economy when we need the full talents and skills of or workface – men and women – contributing to growth. Until governments plans advance women’s equality both at home and at work their programme won’t just stall progress, it will undermine it."
Women's Equality in the UK: A Health Check
The UK CEDAW Shadow Report – Women’s Equality in the UK: A health check – has been produced by the CEDAW Working Group, a coalition of 42 women’s and human rights organisations from across the UK in preparation for the examination of the UK Government by the UN CEDAW Committee in July 2013. http://thewomensresourcecentre.org.uk/our-work/cedaw/cedaw-shadow-report/Organise for a world without sexism
Join hundreds of people from across the UK for a unique weekend of hands-on training in feminist activism. 17-18 August, University of Birmingham http://ukfeminista.org.uk/event-details/summer-school-2013/Women in Public Life
Women form the majority of the UK population, yet power is concentrated in the hands of the minority, according to Counting In coalition report 'Sex and Power 2013: Who Runs Britain?' http://www.countingwomenin.orgGive 'n' Get Project
The Give ‘n’ Get Project, a research team from the Child and Woman Abuse Studies Unit at London Metropolitan University, has been funded by the Office of the Children’s Commissioner to find out what young people understand about consent. The researchers need your help to spread the link to the survey all across England and try to get as many young people as we possibly can to join the conversation about what consent means for them. www.givenget.infoThere for you: there for women members
When life gets tough, contact UNISON Welfare, now called There for you for confidential advice and support on issues such as finance, debt, wellbeing breaks etc. www.unison.org.uk/welfare/ Key to the charitable work of 'There for you' is the fundraising Octopus Lottery with great cash prizes and 40% of earnings going to UNISON Welfare. www.unison.org.uk/octopus/
Gender, safety and health
Gender, safety and health is a new guide that highlights the different health and safety risks that female and male workers are exposed to at work, and informs all safety reps on how to take a gender-sensitive approach when negotiating health and safety policies and procedures with their employer. www.unison.org.uk/file/21361.pdf'Female unfriendly' labour market
A new report from the Fawcett Society - ‘The changing labour market: delivering for women, delivering for growth’ - considers the position of women in the UK’s workforce post recession and what could happen next. www.fawcettsociety.org.uk/new-report-warns-of-female-unfriendly-labour-market-as-womens-unemployment-continues-to-rise/fawcett-the-changing-labour-market/An end to the old boys network?
Responding to recent figures published by the Cranfield School of Management - which show that progress on appointing more women to company boards has stalled - the TUC has called on ministers to introduce compulsory quotas. TUC General Secretary Frances O'Grady said: "The only way we will end the old boys' network is if the government introduces compulsory quotas for the composition of boards, as recommended by the European Commission. Without this, female board members will continue to be a rarity."New EHRC guidance
New guidance is available from the Equality and Human Rights Commission to help employers manage and support employees affected by domestic abuse, which one in four women will experience at some point in their lifetime. www.equalityhumanrights.com/news/2013/april/new-guidance-launched-to-help-employers-support-staff-experiencing-domestic-abuse/TUC Age Immaterial
Age Immaterial is a new blog that will provide a platform to highlight and discuss issues affecting working women over 50. http://ageimmaterial.org/Understand your pension
UNISON is working to defend good pension schemes and improve and promote affordable, decent pensions for all our members, wherever you work. The Pensions Knowledge Centre includes a useful jargon buster to explain important technical terms. www.unison.org.uk/pensions/jargon.asp
Strawberry Tea for Breast Cancer Care
A Strawberry Tea is a fun and easy way to support the Breast Cancer Care charity. Simply get together with friends and family, buy or bake some cakes, add some strawberries, put the kettle on and away you go! www.breastcancercare.org.uk/fundraising-events/events/strawberry-tea
UN Commission on the Status of Women
The Commission on the Status of Women recently met, and adopted and agreed conclusions on the elimination and prevention of all forms of violence against women and girls on 15 March 2013.
