Women’s Issues to be Advanced at ABWU’s 57th Annual Delegates Conference.
St. John’s, Antigua – 25 July 2024 — Delegates from the Administrative and Clerical Section of the Antigua and Barbuda Workers’ Union will propose several resolutions on issues that impact women during the Union’s 57th Annual Delegates Conference in September. This was one of the major outcomes of the Union’s recently concluded inaugural Women’s Conference, which was held under the theme: “Bridging the Gaps”- Recognizing Mental Health & Equal Opportunities in the Workplace”
Among the resolutions being developed is one to establish an Annual Women’s Conference, which will foster a supportive and proactive community dedicated to addressing and advocating for women’s issues. Another resolution will be developed to advocate for the integration of comprehensive mental health support into the framework of employee rights and workplace well- being. Other resolutions will focus on combating gender discrimination in the workplace, advocating for comprehensive maternity leave legislation, as well as legislation supporting women’s health needs related to menopause and menstruation.
ABWU Training Officer, Hazel Luke, described the ABWU Women’s Conference as a resounding success. “What we were able to achieve is remarkable! The presentations helped women to recognise and reflect on the many inequalities and barriers that impact them throughout their careers.” Luke shared. “However, this was much more than a talk shop. We were able to initiate concrete actions in the form of these draft resolutions which, once adopted by the 57th Delegates Conference, will ensure that women’s issues are a priority on the Union’s agenda.”
Conference speakers included the Union’s first female president, Malaka Parker. In delivering a passionate charge to participants, Parker elevated the significance of the gathering. “
doing here today, my sisters, is nation building, because every data known to man says when women do better, nations do better…This is not a matter of opinion, this is data in any country,
What you are
anywhere in the world!”
UNI Global Head of Equal Opportunities, Veronica Hernandez-Mendez, told the participants that “although menstruation, maternity and menopause [the 3M’s] were all natural biological processes, they remain taboo subjects in many cultures and workplaces.” She said trade unionists have a vital role to play by ensuring that the 3M’s are included in workplace health and safety
policies in order to reduce discrimination and inequality experienced by women workers.
Another highlight of the conference was a presentation by Clinical Psychologist, Dr Keisha Ross, which examined the impact of historical and intergenerational trauma on mental health. Part of the presentation explored the theory of Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome which seeks to offer an explanation for conditions that exist within African American Communities. Ross’s presentation also highlighted that women of color suffered disproportionately from disorders such as stress and anxiety. She encouraged participants to deepen their understanding of historical trauma and to explore various ways to heal, such as mindfulness, which was demonstrated in an exercise to which
participants responded positively.
Several women were eager to share their feedback on the Conference. “We need to teach our young women that they have a voice…they are no longer a silent face on the wall,” one woman asserted. “As women, we should create that type of womanhood, sisterhood network, because the men do it,” another woman remarked. The Conference ended on a positive note with participants
anticipating next year’s event where they will examine the progress made on the issues raised.
The inaugural ABWU Women’s Conference attracted almost 100 women, hailing from multiple sectors across the Union’s membership. The Conference forms part of the ABWU’s commitment to build capacity within its membership, as well as increase its sensitivity to the needs of its
members.
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Good stuff. This is what society needs to focus on – crafting polices and practices that are female and family friendly both in the workplace and in the wider society NOT telling working class women that their only option for a successful life is abortion.
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