2 April, 2014IndustriALL women members in Ethiopia unite to fight inequality and to organize more women into unions.
Women representing IndustriALL affiliates in Ethiopia, the Industrial Federation of Textile, Leather and Garment Workers' Trade Unions IFTLGWTU and the National Industrial Federation of Energy, Chemical Petroleum and Mine Trade Union decided to create a national women’s committee at a meeting held on 19 and 20 March 2014. Women from the textile, garment, shoe, petroleum, pharmaceuticals, glass and paint sectors attended the meeting.
The women were trained in easy to use methods for working with women, such as body mapping, workplace mapping and life mapping. They understood that such methods can be used anywhere without any sophisticated technology to talk to women and explain to them why a trade union is important. Women’s health concepts and sexuality were introduced briefly. These issues are important particularly in working on self-esteem in women. Two concerns were highlighted in particular – most women have limited access to toilets during working time, and secondly, many women faint at work either due to overwork and/or overheated workplaces. These two problems need to be taken up as trade union issues as a matter of urgency.
Themes involved in trade union democracy were discussed. The women understood that they have to make trade unions listen to women and take their demands seriously. This is more easily achievable if the women form a committee; women by themselves just represent themselves, and there is strength in numbers.
The women contemplated their dreams. One of the common points that came out of their dreams was that the women wanted to help other women grow. And finally women’s leadership qualities were strengthened.
The women gave some thought to why they needed a women’s committee. They decided that the committee should do the following:
- Fight for women’s rights
- Get organized and struggle together
- Resolve women’s problems
- Raise consciousness
- Provide protection against sexual harassment and violence
- Serve as a role model
- Encourage other women to join the union
- Contribute to women becoming leaders
- Contribute to women becoming economically independent
The women felt that they needed activities focused on women. This would also strengthen the union. They asked for more training on gender issues and a forum for women to exchange experiences.
The committee’s work program should include the following:
- HIV/AIDS
- Women’s health
- Violence and sexual harassment
- Working conditions
- Pay – women need more money.