15th UNI Africa Women Committee Meeting, Ouagadougou, 28 July 2015
On July 28, UNI Africa women held their 15th meeting. There were 20 participants including Patricia Nyman member of UNI World Women Committee, Fortune Jegede, representing young women at this meeting and 3 observer women from Burkina Faso.
This year, the meeting served to emphasize on some points of the strategic priorities of women for the period from 2013 to 2017. Thus, women will take ownership of these priorities and will implement them.
They are:
1- Create and reinforce women communication networks between women on the same and/or different companies and inside the same sector
Mariama Penda Diallo stressed the need to strengthen communication and designate coordinators to enhance communication sectors.
In the end, Foune is committed to create an email with the entire women group to facilitate communication.
2. Involve HIV AIDS as well as Health and Safety at the Work Place, as topics for training.
Mary Dzinyemba demanded that the issue be inserted in all educational programs.
Women have recognized that they were the most affected and that they are necessary in instances where decisions on HIV AIDS are taken.
Téné requested that men be involved in the fight and UNI and the ILO for that success is the appointment.
3. Monitor the implementation of the 40% rule in all the structures and activities of the union.
Téné Tougma developed the recommendation 40pour40 participants. For her, if necessary, change the rules of the union.
Oyinkan advocated mentoring is a good cheaper way to train other women and give them the opportunity to teach other women sides.
Fortune said that training is paramount to effectively occupy decision-making positions when they arise.
4. Promote, encourage and support campaigns and international observed days
i. UNI’s “Stop Violence” campaign;
ii. International Women’s Day - 8 March;
iii. World Day for Decent Work - 7 October;
iv. 16 days of activism: Violence - from 25 November to 10 December;
v. International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women - 25 November
Global and international days were highlighted by Oyinkan to motivate women to organize activities. These days, women can organize meetings marches and other training activities at lower costs on topics relevant to them.
These are free and regular tools at their disposal. The watch will add to their organized activities and strengthen the activity report.
5. Work with UNI Africa to encourage affiliates to recognize the need to organize women workers and promote gender mainstreaming by discussing and publicizing gender issues. Louise Nett, in his presentation stressed that unions must develop and promote the function of accountability.
To do so, you must:
- Encourage mentoring
- Working and preparation of meetings
- Consider other themes to attract women you young
- Use the media and other means of communication
The meeting ended with these resolutions.