Supporting Education for Women

Conference is proud of Unison’s commitment to lifelong learning and education for all. It is particularly proud of the selection of Unison course which provides women with an opportunity to learn in a safe and supportive environment; allowing women to return to the classroom where this opportunity may not otherwise have been afforded and increasing […]

UNISON policy on violence against women

Conference notes that at national delegate conference 2013, an amendment to the national women’s committee motion on UNISON women, active, campaigning, leading, was debated and lost. That amendment stated: “We believe that our trade union has the potential to transform society for the better. Therefore we have a particular responsibility to confront and challenge male […]

The Economy is not working for women

This conference notes The cuts across the public services are having a detrimental effect on women lives and the lives of their families. The UK is the sixth richest economy in the world and yet more than one in five people live below the poverty line. Women whether single or in relationships are more likely […]

EMPOWERING WOMEN IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR

Yorkshire and Humberside Regional Women’s group welcomes UNISON’s Guide to Influencing the NHS (Stronger Together – A UNISON Guide to influencing the NHS) As women trade unionists, we are used to being involved in workplace negotiations and have an honourable tradition of arguing our case. Getting involved in public sector bodies – for example the […]

End violence against Black women

Conference notes that domestic violence and abuse does not discriminate. It happens among heterosexual couples and in same-sex partnerships. It occurs within all age ranges, ethnic backgrounds, and economic levels. And while women are more commonly victimised, men are also abused. The bottom line is that abusive behaviour is never acceptable. According to Women’s Aid: […]

‘Lose the Lads Mags’ Campaign

It is long established that the overwhelming portrayal of women as sex objects in society plays a role in maintaining inequality between women and men. This has been recognised at the international level by the United Nations Convention to Eliminate all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), an internationally, legally binding document ratified by the […]

Save the NHS, save women’s local health services

This conference notes that despite the Health Service apparently being outside the cuts there have been many reductions in hospital services across the country and often these are those that provide specialist services to women. 11 hospitals have already lost maternity services since 2010. The closure of local maternity units will force women to travel […]

Women and the Housing Crisis

Conference notes that the UK is suffering from an acute housing crisis, with rents soaring and house building grinding to a halt as a direct result of the recession, whilst the number of new households is increasing faster than the number of new builds. Against a background of mounting debt across the country, huge numbers […]

Pay Day Loans

Conference notes with concern the growing existence of pay day loan companies, particularly targeting the low paid who are struggling financially. Research by the insurance company Aviva found that where a woman is the main breadwinner, families were more than twice as likely to have taken out a payday loan in the last year. Further, […]

Domestic Abuse

The Cymru/Wales Regional Women’s Committee recognises the ever present need of support, advice and guidance required for those experiencing domestic abuse. Despite the rise in demand for domestic abuse support, austerity measures have slashed charity funding leaving sufferers vulnerable and isolated. Employers have a duty of care to their employees. For those experiencing domestic abuse, […]

Sexualisation of women in the media

Conference condemns the continual sexualisation of women in the media and finds it unacceptable the way in which women are presented to the public often posing partially clothed in a sexual or passive way. The presence of these imagines on the covers of magazines and newspapers can encourage and reinforce outdated stereotypical views of women. […]

Support for those suffereing Domestic Violence

Conference notes the rise in domestic violence; a staggering 1 million females were victims of domestic violence last year accounting for 1 in 5 of all assaults. It has long been understood that domestic violence tends to increase during difficult periods for society, such as recession, and in these austere times with cuts to police […]

ZERO HOURS

Conference deeply concerned at the improper use of Zero Hours contracts throughout the employment sectors. Employers are targeting workers via health and social care settings, education, hotel services and many more work areas, to use these contracts as a means of reducing costs and maximising profits. However, they are disproportionately affecting women workers and their […]