Women’s Issues to be Advanced at ABWU’s 57th Annual Delegates Conference

The Administrative and Clerical Section of the Antigua and Barbuda Workers’ Union will propose several resolutions on issues that impact women during the Union’s 57th Annual Delegates Conference in September.

This initiative stemmed from the Union’s recent inaugural Women’s Conference, held under the theme: “Bridging the Gaps”- Recognizing Mental Health & Equal Opportunities in the Workplace.

Among the resolutions being developed is one to establish an Annual Women’s Conference, fostering a supportive and proactive community dedicated to addressing and advocating for women’s issues.

Another resolution will advocate for the integration of comprehensive mental health support into the framework of employee rights and workplace well-being.

Other resolutions will focus on combating gender discrimination in the workplace, advocating for comprehensive maternity leave legislation, as well as legislation supporting women’s health needs related to menopause and menstruation.

Hazel Luke, ABWU Training Officer, described the ABWU Women’s Conference as a resounding success. “What we were able to achieve is remarkable!

The presentations helped women recognize and reflect on the many inequalities and barriers that impact them throughout their careers,” she shared.

“However, this was much more than a talk shop. We were able to initiate concrete actions in the form of these draft resolutions which, once adopted by the 57th Delegates Conference, will ensure that women’s issues are a priority on the Union’s agenda.”

Conference speakers included the Union’s first female president, Malaka Parker, who, in a passionate charge to participants, emphasized the significance of the gathering as a means of nation building, stating, “What you are doing here today, my sisters, is nation building, because every data known to man says when women do better, nations do better…This is not a matter of opinion, this is data in any country, anywhere in the world!”

UNI Global Head of Equal Opportunities, Veronica Hernandez-Mendez, told the participants that “although menstruation, maternity and menopause [the 3M’s] were all natural biological processes, they remain taboo subjects in many cultures and workplaces.”

She highlighted the vital role trade unionists have to play in ensuring that the 3M’s are included in workplace health and safety policies to reduce discrimination and inequality experienced by women workers.

A highlight of the conference was a presentation by Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Keisha Ross, examining the impact of historical and intergenerational trauma on mental health.

The presentation explored the theory of Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome, offering an explanation for conditions within African American Communities. Ross’s presentation also highlighted that women of color suffered disproportionately from disorders such as stress and anxiety.

She encouraged participants to deepen their understanding of historical trauma and explore ways to heal, such as mindfulness, which was demonstrated in an exercise to which participants responded positively.

Several women shared their feedback on the Conference. “We need to teach our young women that they have a voice…they are no longer a silent face on the wall,” one woman asserted. “As women, we should create that type of womanhood, sisterhood network, because the men do it,” another woman remarked.

The Conference ended on a positive note with participants anticipating next year’s event, where they will examine the progress made on the issues raised.

The inaugural ABWU Women’s Conference attracted almost 100 women from multiple sectors across the Union’s membership. The Conference forms part of the ABWU’s commitment to build capacity within its membership and increase its sensitivity to the needs of its members.