About 200 trade union women from across the island mark international women's day with a standing ovation for the Palestine Ambassador, Dr Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid.
The conference enthusiastically adopted a motion sending a message of Peace and Courage to women everywhere and a special message of solidarity, peace and courage to women in the midst of war, hunger and grievous human rights abuses. The motion expressed abhorrence about the killing and maiming of children and civilians in Gaza, indeed across Palestine and in Israel and reiterates the trade union demand for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza.
The conference is debating a wide range of motions on workplace related issues including sexual harassment, reproductive rights, menopause leave and workplace policies, pre-menstrual tension policies within workplaces, family leaves, free healthcare, supports required to address the disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on women workers, valuing care in all its forms, and rights of care workers. Thanks were given to the many thousands of workers in Northern Ireland who have taken industrial action over many months to progress decent pay and safe public services. Collective bargaining rights featured throughout the debates as an enabling right to progress many of these issues and a right that strengthens democracy and builds inclusive societies and workplaces.
All agreed that a Woman's place is in her union and the more of us there are the stronger we become - see Better in a Union Campaign
While today's referendum is a missed opportunity - by not including all forms of care - many speakers encouraged all to grasp the opportunity to vote today to remove sexist language from our constitution and to recognise the role of care in society, and to recognise families in all their diversity.
Pics from the event ar on our Flickr
