28 March, 2011
Co-hosted by two of ICEM’s Spanish affiliated trade unions, FIA-UGT and FITEQA-CC.OO, the ICEM World Women’s Conference brought together over 230 delegates from 47 countries to Seville on 23-25 March. The theme of the conference was “Conquests and Dreams.”
The historic conference was the largest ever and women resolved to focus efforts on building and developing structures for improved coordination for the women of the ICEM. Coordinating committees already exist in some countries and this will now be extended to create a women’s committee in each country where there is more than one ICEM affiliate. This will then be followed with a women’s network in Europe, and several sub-regional networks.
Women’s Officer Carol Bruce talks to Spanish TV
ICEM women look forward to combining strength and resources with the International Metalworkers’ Federation (IMF) and the International Textile, Garment, and Leather Workers’ Federation (ITGLWF) in the creation of a new international trade union federation. While the three organizations have differing levels of women’s membership and activities, the ICEM women’s sector will work to combine the best practices.
Two campaigns launched at the conference included: the campaign to put a stop to violence against women in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC); and campaign for wider use of female condoms to prevent the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Two other major work plans will also receive increased focus: preventing violence against women and creating better self-esteem.
View the full conference resolution here.
Delegates Respect Victims of Japan’s Earthquake/Tsunami
In his opening remarks, ICEM President Senzeni Zokwana called delegates to stand and mark a minute’s silence in memory of those affected by the earthquake and tsunami disaster in Japan.
ICEM General Secretary Manfred Warda then said, “Gender will be a major part of the ICEM Action Plan to be discussed at the Executive Committee and then at our Congress. We are proud of the work of the women inside the ICEM, marking this milestone conference.”
The conference attracted local- and national-level female politicians. Matilde Fernández, former Social Affairs Minister, highlighted the importance of the fight for gender equality in Spain, a country where women are paid 15% less than men, meaning that they would have to work 51-52 days per year more than men to achieve wage parity.
Müzeyyen Acunal of Turkish Selüloz-İş
“Changes to legislation have been necessary, but they still are not sufficient,” she said. “We need to change the attitudes of the society.”
The conference unanimously re-elected Russia’s Evgenia Esenina as President of ICEM’s Women’s Committee and Zimbabwe’s Angeline Chitambo as Vice-Chair.
In closing the conference, President Senzeni Zokwana built enthusiasm for the future, in terms of gender work, and of the overall hopes heading into a new international. “We will be new and strong, let us breed unity, breed oneness. We can achieve more together!”