STUC 94th Annual Women’s Conference

October 25th 2021

STUC 94th Annual Women’s Conference

October 25th 2021

Monday 25th & Tuesday 26th October 2021

The Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) 94th Annual Women’s’ Conference takes place this week online, where the major issues affecting women workers in the labour market and wider society will be debated by around 160 delegates from unions across Scotland.

Conference’s theme this year is ‘Women Organising Against Discrimination at Work’, and delegates will debate a range of motions over the weekend exploring: * Sexual harassment

  • Domestic abuse

  • Discrimination at work

  • Women’s health

  • The impacts of COVID-19 on women

The conference will also hear keynote addresses from:

  • Roz Foyer, STUC General Secretary

  • Pauline Rourke, STUC Vice President

  • Barbara Plant, GMB President

On the Monday, conference will also welcome three high schools and representatives who will debate free school meals and child poverty in Scotland. Conference will also feature a panel session on climate justice, featuring representatives from Platform London, Trade Unions for Energy Democracy (TUED) and young climate activists.

Brenda Carson, Chair of the STUC Women’s Committee and this year’s Conference, commented:

“This years’ conference comes after over a year of Covid-19, high profile cases of violence against women and as Glasgow prepares to host COP26.

“Since our last conference in 2019, we have seen drastic changes to the world of work. Many women’s lives have been turned upside down due to the Covid-19 pandemic, with many having taken on far more unpaid care work than ever before.

“Alongside this, the murders of Sarah Everard and Sabina Nessa have sent shockwaves across the UK. In Scotland we must look at how sexual harassment, abuse and violence is tolerated, excused and perpetrated in our workplaces and communities.

“Discrimination against women, in our workplaces and in our society, remains endemic. That’s why this year’s theme is ‘Women Organising Against Discrimination at Work’. It is only when we organise in our workplaces, and in our communities, that real change happens.”

ENDS

For more information, please contact Rachel Thomson, Campaigns & Communications Officer, on 07974966227.