Unionist Charges Women On Gender Issues

December 25, 2004 - (This Day - Lagos) The International Confede-ration of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU-AFRO) has said that gender mainstreaming would bring about positive changes to Africa.

The ICFTU-AFRO Gender Coordinator, Ms. Elizabeth Ombija said this at the just concluded three-day regional network with the theme: 'Building Solidarity on Women Issues through Regional Cooperation' put together by Women Com-mission of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Commonwealth Trade Union Council Project on Promoting Women's Partici-pation in Trade Union Activities in Nigeria.

She said the was need for women in trade union to network and work together with various continental institutions, women organisations and the newly established African Union Policy framework on Gender which seeks to redress the existing inequalities.

"Gender mainstreaming both in the trade union movement and the society at large will bring about the much needed development in Africa and beyond. This will ensure women and men have equal access to factors needed for their equal and unhindered participation in development and other processes that shape and define their conditions of life and work", Ombija said.

She charged that in other to address the challenges of advancing gender equality in trade unions, structures for the integration of women concerns must be put in place.

From: http://allafrica.com/stories/200412300505.html