News

The women of UNI-Africa have just renewed their regional committee and redefined their objectives. During the 2^nd regional conference which was held in Hammamet, Tunisia, from 9-10 May 2009, the 62 women participants carried out a stock-taking exercise in order to measure the progress accomplished since 2003, and also to map out a strategy to be implemented between now and Nagasaki in 2010 and Nairobi in 2013, when the 3^rd regional conference is due to take place.

During the two days of the conference, women adopted a series of resolutions aimed at improving both their own situation and also that of UNI-Africa and its affiliates. They, too, want to contribute to the “Africa facing up to its future” project. This presupposes that all the forces in the region come together to make it a success. They adopted a five-point plan:

In order to build strong unions, the women of UNI-Africa must play a major role in organising and recruiting workers.

In order to ensure a solid financial basis for the unions as well as greater representation of women in all the major events, UNI-Africa Women must help UNI-Africa to ensure that unions declare their real membership and pay their dues on the basis of their declared membership. Furthermore, dues must be paid annually and in full.

UNI-Africa Women call for greater solidarity between unions, and invite the big unions to help the smaller ones by helping to organise training courses, campaigns, exchange visits, etc.

With a view to improving the working and living conditions of women in Africa and to put an end to violence against women, UNI-Africa Women encourages UNI Global Union to take on a stronger role in the decision-making process at the national, regional and world levels.

In order to combat HIV/Aids, UNI-Africa Women will help establish/shape HIV/Aids policies at the workplace and step up the HIV/Aids campaigns within the trade unions.

The implementation of this ambitious programme is entrusted to the newly elected Bureau, under the leadership of its President, Louise Plaatjies from SASBO, South Africa.