Shaping a world where gender equality is not a promise, but a practice
Meeting for the first time since their election at Congress in October 2024, members of the ITF Women Transport Workers’ Committee collectively reaffirmed their commitment to deliver ITF's priorities for women transport workers for the next five years following two days of powerful discussions and idea-sharing which took place this week.
The theme of collective solidarity and women’s leadership ran through every discussion as foundations were laid for a work programme that will deliver results for women transport workers, whilst building stronger and more equal unions.
Women spoke on long-standing issues for women transport workers such as the gender pay gap, the impacts and opportunities linked to new technology, the systemic exclusion of women in the transport industry, and the barriers for women in leadership.
Committee chair Meryem Halouani said: “We are in the midst of very strange and uncertain times politically, socially and economically. There is opportunity to come out of these challenges stronger and more gender-equal by building upon the huge opportunities and potential around growing women’s leadership and organising women in our unions.”
Key ITF projects and campaigns were highlighted including the campaign for effective ratification and implementation of ILO Convention 190, confirming domestic violence as a workplace and union issue, the safe commute to and from work, delivering ‘just cities’ for women in public transport, and ensuring new technology advances gender equality.
Acting Women Transport Workers’ and Gender Equality Officer Claire Clarke said: “Generations of women before us, particularly in male-dominated sectors like transport, have worked hard to create spaces for women, so that we can reimagine and reshape what a truly gender-transformative world of work can look like. Through this work, the ITF is setting out to change the industry culture and practice… as well as our movement’s.”
