- Conference
- 2004 National Women's Conference
- Date
- 13 October 2003
- Decision
- Carried
UNISON is committed to achieving fair representation for women at all levels in the union.
To achieve this, the rule book requires all elected bodies to achieve proportionality for women. This means women should be represented on the various UNISON committees and structures at least in proportion to the percentage of women in membership. Because women make up over two-thirds of our national membership, at least two-thirds of the members of the National Executive Council will be women.
This commitment means we have to take positive action to break down the barriers that excluded women from participation in the past. Strategies to achieve proportionality include:
1)the election process for many committees ensures a proportional number of women are elected, for example National Executive Council and regional committees;
2)women only training and education;
3)provision for childcare and dependant care for those attending meetings and conferences.
Why then is there no process that increases the proportionality of women speakers at conferences. Yes women are encouraged, can access training and help with speeches, that in itself however we feel is not enough.
An increase to the numbers of women speakers could be attained by alternating the sex of the speakers moving, seconding and speaking on motions. This would mean if a man moves the motion excluding composites, the next speaker should, where possible, be a woman.
Conference therefore instructs the National Women’s Committee to:
a)promote this idea within the UNISON structures, including National Executive Council, service groups and regions;
b)write to regions to gain support for this real attempt to give women a stronger voice at conferences;
c)report on progress to next year’s conference.