The UNI Europa Women’s Committee, which took place in Brussels on the 29th of October,  is an annual opportunity to discuss the work that is being carried out throughout the region by the different areas as well as by the members of the committee in representation of UNI Global Union. It is also an opportunity to discuss the implementation of the strategic priorities and the motions adopted in the last UNI World Women’s Conference in Liverpool in June 2018.

This year, besides the reports provided by the different members, presentations on working time, violence against women and women in STEM professions provided the participants with a new insight on the work carried out by our women affiliates across Europe.

The Committee was joined by Nadège Lharaig from CEASE to talk about their project on bringing companies and other stakeholders together to fight violence and by Agnes Uhereczky from the WorkLifeHub to discuss the findings of the EIGE report on women’s participation in STEM careers.

Other topics discussed included reports on the World Women’s Committee meeting and the World Women’s Conference as well as the upcoming UNI Europa Women’s Conference in 2020.

It was also a sad but grateful moment in which the Committee bid farewell to one of its leaders: Arlette Puraye from CNE-CSC-BE, who is stepping down as UNI Europa Women’s President. Arlette’s career in union work, her passion and dedication to her work and to women empowerment have been an inspiration to many other women who are following in her footsteps. The UNI Equal Opportunities and the UNI Europa Women’s Committee are deeply grateful for all her work and dedication and wished her the best for the future.