RECLAIM THE NIGHT

Conference congratulates The London Feminist Network for another successful Reclaim the Night march on 24th November 2007. Conference is pleased to note that the National Women’s Committee has been added to the list of supporters for what is now an important annual event for women. When Reclaim the Night marches first began in the 1970’s […]

PROSTITUTION

Conference was disappointed to see a motion on the 2007 Unison National Delegate Conference agenda calling for the setting up of legalized brothels in cities throughout the UK, and reaffirms its position that women’s bodies are not commodities to be bought and sold, and that prostitution is an infringement of human rights. Conference is optimistic […]

WOMEN, PENSIONS, POVERTY

Conference calls upon the National Women’s Committee to work with all relevant bodies to push for further initiatives in pension provision for low earners and those not in permanent employment. Conference welcomes the announcement in the Queen’s speech that new legislation is to be introduced aimed at encouraging employers to provide good quality pensions for […]

SUPPORT AMNESTY OVER ABORTION DECISION

Conference welcomes the recent decision by Amnesty International to back abortion in cases of rape, incest or violence, or where the pregnancy jeopardises a women’s life or health. Conference sees this as a huge step forward for women’s rights worldwide, especially in areas of conflict where rape is used as a weapon of war or […]

PROUD TO USE THE F WORD

Conference joins with the Fawcett Society in welcoming third-wave feminism, and in so doing recognises that as the largest women’s union in the UK, UNISON, has a significant role to play in the new feminist struggle. UNISON women belong to a global sisterhood fighting oppression the world over, from Tabitha Khumalo risking her own safety […]

THE CRISIS IN RAPE CRISIS

Conference is concerned at the lack of funding for women’s sector organisations which has resulted in the closure of much needed Rape Crisis centres. In 2007 only 32 Rape Crisis centres remained in England and Wales, compared to 84 in 1985, and in July 2007 it was estimated that half of these would be closed […]

BREAST CANCER AND CHEMICALS

Conference applauds the work undertaken by women members of UNISON, led by the National Women’s Committee and assisted by women in specialist organisations, to raise awareness of the links between some chemicals in everyday use and breast cancer. Conference urges that this work continues, reinforcing our understanding of the chemicals and products to avoid, and […]

WOMEN IN PRISON

Over the past twelve months the rising prison population has been an ever present news item. Although Conference accepts that there will always be a necessity to imprison women for serious criminal offences, the female prison population has risen by 173% over the past decade. However, the overwhelmingly majority of female prisoners are sentenced for […]

VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

Violence against women’ refers to any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual, or psychological harm to women. It includes, but is not limited to, domestic violence, forced marriage, crimes in the name of honour, rape and sexual assault, femicide, trafficking and sexual exploitation, female genital mutilation, […]

GUN CRIME

This Conference notes with alarm the scourge of gun crime across Britain. This Conference believes that whilst gun crime impacts onto all citizens of the UK and workers providing public services – health, housing, education, social services – it has a disproportionate impact on women members, both in their role as providers of public services […]

TIME OFF FOR MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS

This conference notes that women are predominantly responsible for ensuring their children attend medical appointments such as post-natal development clinics, child assessment clinics, baby clinics, medical and dental appointments. This means that women have to take time out of a working day to accompany them, often having to use annual leave, time off in lieu […]

TOWARDS A SUFFICIENT PENSION FOR ALL WOMEN

This conference recognises that it is a long established fact that women with caring responsibilities may suffer a detriment when they retire because of a reduction in pension. For many years, women’s choice has been between having a career and a comfortable retirement or raising their own children and being poor in retirement. Some women […]

THE DISCRIMINATION LAW REVIEW AND THE GENDER EQUALITY DUTY

This Conference notes that the Government is committed to introducing a Single Equality Act in this Parliament. The Government launched the Discrimination Law Review in February 2005 with the task of undertaking a comprehensive review of discrimination legislation, making recommendations that would simplify and modernise the law and ensuring better enforcement and compliance. Conference supports […]

OSTEOPOROSIS

Conference notes that two in five women over the age of 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis, although it affects people of all ages. Despite this condition affecting around 40% of women over the age of 50 only 30% of NHS trusts offer automatic bone scanning to women following breaking a bone. Therefore […]

Positive Revision of PSC Handbook

The Police Staff Council (PSC) handbook has been used for some years. There is now a need to review the handbook in order to ensure it is meeting our member’s needs. For example, in recognition of widespread current practice relating to leave where reference is made to a ‘day’ or ‘days’, the handbook could make […]