TUC and ZCTU Women's Committees twin in the face of oppression

TUC and ZCTU Women's Committees twin in the face of oppression

Worldwide, women face systematic discrimination and inequality. In acknowledgment and response that gender power relations are unbalanced within the trade union movement too, statutory Women's Committees exist within many union structures.

The TUC and Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions have a long standing and trusted relationship that goes back many decades. In a further move to cement the relationship and provide solidarity to one another, the two organisations Women's Committees recently twinned.

Before International Women's Day on the 8 March, the ZCTU sent to the TUC the news of their Women's Committee adoption of a Western Regional Women Advisory Council's petition to declare international women's day a holiday in Zimbabwe. Fiona Magaya, ZCTU Women and Gender Coordinator said:

'Afterwards in the evening the women celebrated. This was a great day for them and the petition will be submitted to our advocacy desk to lobby with government'.

Women's Advisory Council Executive members Miriam Katumba, centre, Sithokozile Siwela left, Esther Munyamana right and other members of the ZCTU women's committee leading celebrations of the adoption of the resolution

But the next communication from the ZCTU to the TUC was not so heartening. In their solidarity message to the TUC the ZCTU Women's Advisory Council's Chairperson said 'As we begin to commemorate the day, the police have started invading the ZCTU offices again harassing officers for information which ultimately is intended to be used against the ZCTU. Women in the ZCTU are therefore demanding a stop to harassment of trade union officials.'

Then, on 8 March, International Women's Day itself the news from the ZCTU worsened: Armed police stormed ZCTU Bulawayo offices telling more than 200 ZCTU activists gathered that there will be no march. Later on 16 women were detained by the police. This is despite the High Court order that the activities were legal. In Harare and Gweru the news was also worrying.

In response, as the TUC's Women's Conference met for their annual conference amidst the flurry and fury of Public Sector cuts, Pat Stewart, Chair of the TUC's Women's Committee read out a statement of solidarity with the ZCTU women and expressed outrage at the suppression of their human right to Freedom of Association.

'Let us offer our solidarity and support to our Zimbabwean sisters as they struggle for the right to do the simple things that we as trade unionists in a free country take for granted,' she said.

The two Women's Committees signed a protocol in the later part of 2010. On the TUC's side, the whole committee expressed their support for the twinning protocol and their solidarity with their Zimbabwean sisters. They also acknowledged that for the twinning relationship to be successful the two organisations should not try to run before they can walk and they undertook to ensure regularity of communication and solidarity as the first step.

Sithokozile Siwela, Secretary to the ZCTU Women's Advisory reading the twinning protocol

TUC Women's Committee members signing the Twinning MoU

At the time of the signing of the Twinning Protocol, Sarah Veale, the Secretary to the Committee and the Head of the Equality and Employment Rights Department at the TUC made the following statement of solidarity:

'I am very pleased that the TUC Women's Committee has joined the ZCTU's women's committees in sisterhood and solidarity. We will work with you to support your vital activities to train women activists and to promote the 'Dignity Period' campaign. Together we are strong!'

Gail Cartmail, the Assistant General Secretary of the Unite union, and TUC Spokesperson on International Development, gave the following message to the women of the ZCTU:

'When we women trade unionists sign this agreement we do so in the knowledge that we share the hopes and aspirations of working women worldwide. Our hope for peace and security, decent work free from exploitation and discrimination - education, health and housing for future generations that we give birth to and raise. In Britain we stand shoulder to shoulder with our sisters in Zimbabwe whose environment is harsh yet who continue to struggle for the future we all aspire to.'

Barbara White, the Deputy Chair of the TUC Women's Committee, gave the following message of solidarity:

'I am delighted that we now have a twinning agreement with our sisters in Zimbabwe. Your strength and determination are awesome and now that we are together we will be unstoppable.'

As well as swapping messages of solidarity on International Women's Day, as a first step, the two Committees have agreed to share agendas, relevant reports and to provide each other with solidarity in times of need.

Solidarity forever!

Gemma Freedman, International Programme Officer