UNISON usual Women’s Conference for 2021 has had to be rethought due to the ongoing risks of Covid-19. In place of the conference Empowering Women in UNISON Live has been organised by the National Women’s Committee with lots of important and passionate speakers on women’s issues and empowering women.
17th – 20th February 2021
Online sessions will include keynote panels, webinars and workshops.
Programme
Wednesday 17th February
12.00 – 13.30 Opening plenary
Empowering women
- Emma Proctor, Chair National Women’s Committee
- Keynote speech from the new General Secretary – Christina McAnea
- Angela Rayner MP Deputy Leader of the Labour Party
17:00 – 18:00 Speakers & Q&A
Empowering women internationally
- Katarzyna Duda OPZZ on the campaign for abortion rights in Poland.
- Olga Quintero – Justice for Colombia
Thursday 18th February
12.00 – 13.30 Panel discussion
Empowering pregnant workers, new mums and working mums with caring responsibilities
- Kate Moran Maternity Action
- Sian Elliot TUC
- Vonnie Sandlan Former NUS Scotland Women’s Officer and the first parent to be NUS Scotland President, Mum with four children working in the public sector and prolific tweeter.
17.00 – 18.00 Speaker & Q&A
Empowering older workers and preventing pension poverty
- Gloria Mills – ‘UNISON’s campaign’
Friday 19th February
12.00 -13-30 Panel discussion
Empowering victims/survivors of domestic abuse in the workplace
- Hannah GOUSY Head of Policy Domestic Abuse Commissioner’s Office
- Jess Phillips MP
- Pat Heron NEC member – the story of collaborative work with women’s aid organisations in Northern Region
17.00 – 18.00 Speakers & Q&A
Getting women into (political) influencing roles
- Kim Johnson MP
- Sem Moema Connect, Hackney Councillor and standing for election to the GLA in May 2021
- Anne McVicker, Women’s Resource & Development Agency Northern Ireland and member of UNISON’s Northern Ireland and UK women’s committees
Saturday 20th February
11.45 -12.45 Speakers & Q&A
Empowering Black women in the workplace – equality in the post Covid world of work
- Chi Onwurah MP – Shadow Minister Science Research & Digital
- Helga Pile – UNISON Health Team
Manjula Kumari UNISON NEC
17.00 – 18.00 Closing session
Empowering women in social care/low paid work
- Sian Stockham UNISON Vice President
- Caroline Johnson UNISON NEC Birmingham
- Deborah Clarke Head of Community UNISON Scotland
Please email National UNISON to register your interest in attending as follows:
Subject – Empowering women in UNISON – Live!
In your email – please provide:
Your name:
Your membership number:
Your branch name:
Any reasonable adjustments you need to participate: Please send your email to conferences@unison.co.uk.