News

Mariama Penda Diallo, Guinea





Louise Plaaitjise, South Africa - UNI Africa Women's President





Zayed Sanaa, Egypt





Getsa Carlos Gune, Mozambique





Tene Tougma, Burkina Faso

After 10 years’ of its existence, UNI Global Union has appointed the first female Deputy General Secretary Christy Hoffman from the United States of America while in UNI Africa, the Vice President of the Finance Sector Mariama Penda Diallo has been appointed the first female Labour Minister in Guinee’s transitional government.

In her welcome address to the UNI Africa Women’s Committee meeting in Cairo on 8 March, Mrs. Sana Zayed from the Egyptian Banking Union (NTUBIFA) said, “Women are no less than men, we have to ensure that they participate in the social and economic life of their country.”

And outgoing UNI Deputy General Secretary Philip Bowyer announced that UNI has appointed Ms. Christy Hoffman to replace him and expressed happiness that he would be succeeded by a woman.

“Women have been far too patient and understanding when men have asked them to be patient and understanding. You should start saying that we want 50 per cent female ministers today. That’s the way you change things,” he said. “I hope this meeting marks an opportunity for you to work towards achieving real equality, real power and real representation.”

Bowyer retires from UNI at the end of April this year after serving the international labour movement for over 30 years.

And in her address to the Women’s Committee, Guinee’s first female Labour Minister Mrs. Mariama Penda described her appointment in the six-month transitional government as an achievement for all women.

She said Guinee, which was engulfed by violence after the recent military coup, faces the challenge of restoring the rule of law, holding free and fair elections and promoting social dialogue. Guinee has now returned to civilian rule and will hold elections in six months.

The meeting heard that in Egypt, a strategy adopted by unions to involve women has led to visible developments. Guest of Honour Mrs. Nahed Bassiouny, a former trade unionist now Head of Investment Sector in Nasser Social Bank, told the meeting that there are now 47 women in union structures in the sub-region. Forty-four women have been appointed judges and 25 per cent of the Parliament is female. The Egyptian Labour Minister Mrs. Aisha Abdel Hady is a former trade unionist.

In Mozambique, Gesta Carlos Gune reported that in the recent national elections 75 out of 250 parliamentarians elected are women. She called for professional training of female trade unionists.

In South Africa, Patricia Nyman reported that UNI has signed a global agreement with Shoprite Checkers, Africa’s largest retailer. She said UNI affiliates are also empowering young female workers in the services sector through the Decisions for Life project.

Vivian Adoboe-tefe from Ghana reported that the Health Services Workers’ Union has reached 25 per cent women’s representation in union structures while other affiliates are empowering women with training leadership, women’s rights and membership recruitment.

Meanwhile, UNI’s head of Equal Opportunities Department Veronica Fernandos Mendez informed the meeting that a motion calling for a 40 per cent women’s representation in UNI’s decision-making structures will be tabled at the Nagasaki World Congress this November to raise women’s participation from the current 17.3 per cent.

And UNI Africa Women’s President Louise Plaaitjise urged the women to lead discussions aimed at making the life of working women better. “Let us not fold hands, stretch them, reach out and make a full circle. Let’s be united and walk side by side,” she said.