Woman's Officer Lorna McCourt

Phone  07949 623121

International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and White Ribbon Day

Dear stakeholder

The National Federation of Women’s Institutes-Wales invites you to attend the following events on Monday 22 November 2021, sponsored by Joyce Watson MS, with whom we have worked since 2012, to mark International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and White Ribbon Day:-

Ø  Cross-party stakeholder event focusing on the right of women to lead their lives free for the fear of violence and abuse: 2pm - 3.30pm, virtual

This virtual event will bring interested stakeholders together to share their views on how we can achieve a culture change. It will also discuss the importance of engaging men and boys in challenging the attitudes and changing the behaviours that contribute to violence against women.

Please RSVP to walesoffice@nfwi-wales.org.uk

Ø  Candlelight Vigil: 6pm - 7.30pm, Senedd

This event will bring people together to show solidarity with victims and survivors of violence against women across the world.

Speakers include Jane Hutt MS, Minister for Social Justice; Zaira Munsif, Cardiff Locality Manager, BAWSO; and the FUW.  We will also hear from a survivor, a White Ribbon ambassador and cross-party representatives.

This year, supporters will need to register in advance due to Senedd protocols in response to Covid-19.  Please register here: https://www.thewi.org.uk/wi-in-wales/news-and-events/Candlelight-Vigil-Registration-2021 

Please bring your own candle.

We hope very much that you will be able to join us at the events and look forward to your response.

Kind regards

Sarah Thomas

Cymru Wales Regional Women’s Group ask you to support the White Ribbon Campine.

The White Ribbon Campaign (WRC) is a global movement of men and boys working to end male violence against women and girls.  It was formed by a group of pro-feminist men in London, Ontario in November 1991 as a response to the École Polytechnique massacre of female students by Marc Lépine in 1989.

On White Ribbon Day, which is always 25 November, and the subsequent 16 days of action that follow, we are asking people in their communities, organisations and workplaces, to come together, and say 'no' to violence against women.

Because of thousands of people like you we are able to get the message out that men’s violence against women and girls must end.  And that all men can make a difference.  #AllMenCan is our leading message this year. It was developed for us in March when the murder of Sarah Everard brought women’s experience of men’s violence to the forefront of everyone’s minds.  Since Sarah was abducted on March 3 2021 as she walked home, a further 80 women have been killed where a man is the principal suspect.  It also opened up so many conversations about men taking action and making a stand.  As we move towards the end of the year we want as many men as possible to think carefully and make the White Ribbon Promise to never commit, excuse or remain silent about male violence against women. 

Some starter ideas:

• Encourage your Employer to become a White Ribbon accredited or supporter organisation.
• How many people can you get to wear a white ribbon - Everyone in your workplace? All your friends? 
• Be active on social media follow us and spread the word using #WhiteRibbon #AllMenCan #MakeThePromise 
• https://www.whiteribbon.org.uk/shop   -     Official materials 

Thank you for your support and encouragement.

Cymru Wales Women’s Self Organisation Group

Worried about your finances? UNISON can help

Notes of National Womens Conference courtesy of Lorna McCourt.

Women’s Blog

Throughout the week UNISON Cymru Wales will be releasing a series of blogs about women involved in UNISON across the region. So far our blogs have featured Sarah Taylor and Angie Roberts. They have been shared via social media and can also be viewed via the following links: Sarah Taylor,  Angie Roberts.

Survey Launch

The Gender Equality in the workplace 2020 survey is now live. (https://bit.ly/3cLnO5l) Please share the survey as widely as possible. The survey does not take long to complete. Everyone can participate. The greater number of responses, the better the results. The survey will close 21 April.

#EachforEqual – International Women’s Day campaign theme

The theme for International Women’s Day this year is Each for Equal.

I have attached a blank pledge card for you to use.  I have asked people to complete the pledge by indicating what one thing they will do to achieve gender equality.

Please send me any of your pictures with the pledge card or in the #EachforEqual pose and we will include it in a short film later this week. You can see the#Eachforequal pose via our Instagram page. 

Best wishes,

Amber Courtney

Policy and Political Campaigning

Information Development Organiser

UNISON Cymru/Wales

Office: 02920 729 421

Mobile: 07908 143 412

#UsToo

Why medics putting the answer for women facing pause in menopause is not the anormal transition of midlife, extended comment from regional organiser Darron Dupre about UNISON’s campaigning work with Velindre, Western Mail

Sexual harassment is completely unacceptable

20% fired after public sector sexual harassment claims, regional secretary Stephanie Thomas quoted, BBC Wales. Stephanie’s comment was not carried in full. Here is the full text provided to the BBC.

Stephanie Thomas, UNISON Cymru Wales regional secretary said,

“Sexual harassment is completely unacceptable and there must be a zero-tolerance attitude towards abuse in the workplace. Public service employees expect to be treated with dignity and they need to know their employers will protect them and ensure the working environment is professional and respectful.

“UNISON is a predominantly female trade union and our healthcare workers, teaching assistants, cooks, carers, cleaners and many more tell us that equality at work is still a distant dream.

“Last year, UNISON surveyed female Welsh public service workers. 70 per cent of respondents said women have not achieved equality in the workplace and 60 per cent had witnessed or experienced sexism in the workplace. As well as suffering sexual harassment, women are belittled at work, called pet names, overlooked for promotion and frequently told to defer to husbands or male colleagues who ‘know better’.

“UNISON wants employers to talk to us about how to change this negative working environment to make sure all female workers feel valued and safe.”

Notes for editors

In March 2018, UNISON Cymru Wales polled 150 members across public services and found:

• 70 per cent of respondents said women have NOT achieved equality in the workplace
• Over 60 per cent of respondents have witnessed or experienced sexism in the workplace
• 20 per cent of respondents felt unable or didn’t know how to challenge sexist behaviour
• Nearly 60 per cent of respondents have made changes at work as the result of being a woman because of their domestic situation

The Empowering Internet Safety Guide for Women

https://www.vpnmentor.com/blog/the-empowering-internet-safety-guide-for-women/