UNISON general secretary Christina travelled to New York last week to take part in the 69th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), at the invitation of the UK government and Public Services International (PSI).
This latest session landed on the 30th anniversary of the UN’s Beijing Platform for Action, considered the most progressive blueprint ever for advancing women’s rights.
Each year, governments meet to reflect on progress and agree a political declaration – a policy agreement on how to move forward. For trade unions, it provides a unique opportunity for coalition-building with other trade unions and progressive organisations, and for influencing global policies on gender equality.
Ms McAnea spoke alongside business leaders, academics, trade unionists and civil society leaders at a number of events, including two UK government discussions on women’s economic empowerment, and a global unions event on women’s rights, social justice and democracy.
Christina McAnea addressing the UK government discussion on advancing women’s economic empowerment. Far right, Lord Ray Collins, UK minister for Africa and the United Nations
The 69th session took place against a background of growing hostility to women’s rights in the United States under Donald Trump’s presidency and around the world. Ms McAnea also took part in a global union march and rally with the theme ‘No to backlash against women’s rights’. Speaking at the rally, she reaffirmed UNISON solidarity to the US trade union movement at a time when public service workers and their unions are under attack by the federal government.
On returning to the UK, Ms McAnea said: “At a time when women’s rights are under great threat globally, it’s vital we raise our voices locally, nationally and internationally.
“Universal access to quality public services is at the heart of women’s decent work and economic justice. Without it, women become trapped in low-paid, highly exploitative work that does little to lift them and their families out of grinding poverty.
“In partnership with the Westminster government, we are starting to buck the trend in the UK. But without enforceable global and national rules to regulate economic activity, bad employers will always undercut good ones and avoid paying their fair share of taxes. Both these are crucial to enabling all businesses to thrive, economies to grow and essential services to be properly resourced.”
The article Christina McAnea defends women’s rights at UN event first appeared on the UNISON National site.
Comments are closed.