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.

Not Even Where Her Life is at Stake - Women in Nicaragua

(30/07/09) UNISON women’s conference in February pledged to support campaigners in Nicaragua who are trying to overturn new and draconian legislation which has made abortion illegal in all circumstances – even on medical grounds, where the mother’s life is at risk, or where she is a victim of rape or incest.

Map of Gaps - the postcode lottery for women who experience violence

(21/07/2009) Each year, three million women in Britain experience rape, domestic violence, stalking or other violence. Many millions more are dealing with abuse experienced in the past.

First ever UK campaign challenging the demand for prostitution

(21/07/2009) The UK's first campaign challenging the demand for prostitution was launched earlier this month.

New guidance on breastfeeding at work

UNISON is working with Maternity Action, who campaign to end inequality and promote the health and well-being of all pregnant women, their partners and children from before conception through to the child's early years.

Corporate Sexism: The sex industry's infiltration of the modern workplace

UNISON national women's conference policy is to campaign against the proliferation of lap dancing clubs and the exploitation and harassment of women.  A new report from the Fawcett Society, "Corporate Sexism : The sex industry's infiltration of the modern workplace", to which UNISON has contributed, finds that the use of lap dancing clubs and display of pornography in a work context is a major new threat to women's equality at work.

No time like the present - women and pensions

(21/07/09)With the credit crunch biting, soaring bills and conflicting demands on family incomes, it is tempting to avoid the unpleasant truth

Ovarian Cancer - remember the symptoms

A new nationwide advertising campaign has been launched by Ovarian Cancer Action to raise awareness of the symptoms of ovarian cancer.

Cervical Cancer - Urgent action needed

England is the only part of the UK where women are first invited for screening at 25 years of age. In other parts of the country women are first invited at 20 years of age. Take action now to help change this situation.

Mooncups

Women’s conference 2008 made a decision to publicise the use of mooncups as a natural and safe method of dealing with periods.

Support for Clause 13 of the Policing and Crime Bill

UNISON national women's conference policy is to campaign to criminalise the purchase, rather than the sale of sex. Clause 13 of the Policing and Crime Bill is an important step in this direction.

The breastfeeding debate

(21/07/09) Media interest in breastfeeding has recently been stirred again by the publication of a report into mother's experience of bottle feeding, and concerns about the perceived pressure to breastfeed.

New campaign launched to tackle ‘women-blaming’ attitudes to rape

Rape Crisis Scotland has launched a hard hitting campaign tackling the myths around rape. The central purpose of This Is Not An Invitation To Rape Me is to challenge women-blaming attitudes to rape by stimulating public debate.