Since 2006 when the Sandinista Government returned to power in Nicaragua a law prohibiting abortion was introduced. This made abortion even on medical grounds or as a consequence of rape illegal. For one hundred and thirty years Nicaraguan law allowed a woman to have an abortion when her life or health was in danger from […]
Conference motions
This Conference calls upon the National Women’s Committee to work with the National Young Members Committee to highlight the importance of young women becoming members of a pension scheme. As women we need to ensure that young women are aware of the benefits of paying into a pension scheme at the earliest opportunity, so as […]
Conference welcomes the changes to the representation to National Women’s Conference which enables all branches to send at least one delegate to National Women’s Conference that came into effect in 2008. However, this has disadvantaged the very small number of large branches, which emerged following changes to public services structures. Many of these branches have […]
We remember Thabitha Khumalo from Zimbabwe who as a guest speaker at 2006 National Delegate Conference gave an inspirational speech about the struggles for basic rights that women face in her country. Every year at National Women’s Conference motions are proposed and carried supporting our sisters overseas. In recent years, Conference has supported women of […]
Conference believes that a woman’s right to choose with regards to abortion is fundamental to her political, social and economic equality. One in three women will have an abortion in her lifetime and therefore even more will face the difficult decision of how to deal with an unplanned pregnancy. Anti choice proponents continue to attempt […]
Conference recognises that the issue of violence against women is something that many women feel passionately about tackling. Women who are not politically active in other ways attend Reclaim the Night events or support local refuges. Therefore this issue should be used as not only a campaigning issue but an organising one as well. There […]
Conference welcomes the closer working together of the self organised groups and young members through the Equality Liaison Committee. There are many cross cutting issues which affect women in different ways and this needs to be addressed on a joint basis. However, conference is concerned that this joint working may be the first step towards […]
Conference welcomes recent legislation aimed at ensuring more equal access to goods, facilities and services for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) people – especially as this means more equal access to healthcare provision. These legislative changes are only recent and many reports highlight the entrenched disparities in the provision of health services for LGBT […]
It is a tragedy that in the 21st century poverty remains a reality in Britain today. With a looming recession the situation is likely to get worse. UNISON’s Northern Region suffers with higher deprivation than any other part of the country outside London. This affects women’s life chances, health and well being, educational attainment and […]
Conference notes that European Union law provides protection against employment discrimination on all equality grounds, but there is currently no protection in EU law against discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation, age, disability and religion or belief in social protection, goods and services, health care and education. Discrimination on the grounds of race and gender […]
In September 2008, there were distressing reports from China of many infant deaths because their formula milk had been corrupted with melamine. Previously as a predominantly rural/agricultural nation most of the tragic victims would have been almost exclusively fed on their mother’s breast milk. In the rapid expansion of China’s struggle to become an industrialised […]
In October 2008 the Post Office released a set of commemorative stamps celebrating the contribution of women who have sought to progress women’s issues throughout history. They include amongst others, Marie Stopes, a frontierswoman on the use and availability of birth control, Barbara Castle for her work to bring about the implementation of the Equal […]
Conference believes that there is a need for an increase in the Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP). Many new mothers are forced to return to work earlier than the would like due to financial considerations. These new mothers lose out on precious time with their babies as they simply cannot afford to remain at home. Some […]
This National Women’s Conference is concerned at the impact that substance abuse can have on pregnant women and their babies. Substances that can affect the foetus are: 1)Cannabis 2)Heroin 3)Methadone 4)Cocaine 5)Crack cocaine 6)Crystal methamphetamine 7)Prescription drugs 8)Nicotine 9)Alcohol Education on the hazards of misusing substances during pregnancy is urgently required and the Government should […]
This National Women’s Conference welcomes the Government commissioned Corston Report and its recommendations in respect of women in prisons in the UK. In particular, the recommendations of small multifunctional non custodial centres widely dispersed across the country. As the Corston Report states prison is not the best place for non violent women offenders that do […]