By Joan Nwagwu
The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC)-Africa Women has called for increased funding and greater participation of women in leadership.
Mrs Martha Molema, President of ITUC-Africa Women, made the call at the closing of the union’s three-day conference on Friday in Lome, Togo.
The conference was themed: “Trade Union Feminism and Implementation of the ITUC-Africa Transformative Agenda for Gender Equality: Two Years of Action for Equality and Social Justice in Africa.”
The conference resolved that sustained funding for women’s programmes would strengthen their participation in trade union activities, leadership and decision-making processes.
Molema said women’s contributions to the world of work could no longer be ignored, stressing the need for their inclusion in policy-making structures.
“Everywhere, a woman is necessary; we are necessary. Yet, where policies are made, a chair is often found empty, unoccupied.
“That chair, comrades, must be occupied. She has a right to be there. A woman has a right to be there,” she said.
Molema said women worked on farms, in factories, markets, homes, unions and frontline activities, but remained underrepresented in leadership and decision-making structures.
She condemned inadequate funding for women’s committees and urged women to participate actively in resource allocation while seeking leadership positions.
“Every barrier must reflect women’s priorities. Women must be part and parcel of resource allocation and distribution. We must be there at those tables.
“My dear sisters, we must lead, contest, organise, negotiate and take charge. As you rise, empower market traders, domestic workers, farm workers and women in informal sectors,” Molema said.
Presenting a draft resolution, the conference Rapporteur, Ms Fiona Magaya, said participants resolved to build strategic alliances beyond the trade union movement.
“Trade unions should strengthen partnerships with lawyers, civil society organisations, faith-based organisations, women’s organisations and other stakeholders,” Magaya said.
She said such partnerships would provide knowledge, skills and resources needed to address challenges affecting women workers across various sectors.
Participants also resolved to establish women-led spaces where women could determine their agendas, guide activities, share experiences, build solidarity and strengthen their sense of belonging.
On the informal economy, Magaya said trade union networks should bridge the gap between unions and women workers engaged in informal employment.
“These alliances should be used to advance decent work, social protection and support for women’s enterprises,” she said.
Mr Joel Odigie, ITUC-Africa General Secretary, congratulated participants for what he described as a well-attended and robust conference.
Odigie said the meeting had achieved its purpose and urged participants to implement agreed targets before the next conference scheduled for 2028.
The conference attracted more than 250 delegates from across Africa, including trade union leaders, women workers and other stakeholders.
They deliberated on gender equality, social justice and women’s leadership during the three-day conference.
