Women delegates to the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) Congress in Marrakech united today to reaffirm their message that women belong: in transport, in unions, in decision-making, and in leadership.
The Conference celebrated the critical milestone of 25 years since the establishment of the ITF Women Transport Workers’ Committee – a vital moment underscoring the progress, challenges, and renewed commitment to promote and advance the rights of women transport workers globally. And as we move forward to the next 25 years, and beyond, to face new challenges and build on the strong foundations already built by women transport workers.
“Women transport workers are an incredible force globally, and yet they face systemic exclusion, discrimination, violence and lack of respect in the workplace and wider community” said Diana Holland, who has chaired the Committee since its inception.
“Women's exclusion from leadership and decision-making spaces and a gender unaware approach to the future of transport work will, without union action, perpetuate a cycle of inequality. I am immensely proud of the achievements of ITF Women transport workers in so many workplaces and communities, transforming lives and challenging these injustices. At Congress, the ITF has agreed to accept a huge challenge from the women transport workers of the world. We demand a world where: Women Transport Workers belong in transport, belong in communities, belong in leadership and belong in unions. Unions need the power of women transport workers, leadership must be fair and equal everywhere, and never forget ‘This is Our World Too.’”
Delegates emphasised the need to learn from the experiences of the past 25 years: the achievements and advances, as well as the barriers and setbacks, faced by ITF Women must inform and support action to tackle all discrimination, including all those who face racial discrimination, discrimination against LGBT+, disabled, young, migrant and informal transport workers.
The Conference shone a spotlight on the deep-rooted challenges women face in transport. Based on the everyday experiences of women transport workers, the Conference reenforced two key priorities of ending violence against women transport workers and ending the systemic exclusion of women transport workers from decent and secure work in the transport and logistics industry.
“These priorities have been the foundation of our movement and will also be the guiding light for our future work,” explained Claire Clarke, ITF Acting Women Transport Workers and Gender Equality Officer.
“The ‘Women Transport Workers Moving the World - This is Our World Too!’ outcomes and recommendations document that was endorsed by this Conference outlines specific strategies within the ITF work programme for women transport workers. This is vital, as we know that to achieve change, we must have a strategy to take us to the world we will create.”
A motion on the ‘Get Me Home Safely’ campaign adopted globally during the Congress plenary session on Occupation Safety and Health earlier in the week was noted and supported by the Women’s Conference.
Efforts to dismantle the systemic barriers obstructing women transport workers will also be intensified over the next five years – after the endorsing of Motion 19 on ‘Moving Forward: ITF Women 25 years on’, proposed by Balvinder Bir from Unite the Union (Great Britain). The Motion will now be presented to Congress plenary on Saturday 19 October.
Delegates elected the incoming ITF Women Transport Workers' Committee, which will be pivotal in driving the strategy over the next five years.
Newly elected chair Meryam Halouani, UMT, Morocco said: “We have come a long way. In the last 25 years women transport workers everywhere committed themselves to change, to create more space for themselves and for other women. To set examples of extra ordinary leadership, we worked hard to be seen and to be engaged in decision-making spaces with employers and governments, but we still have a long way to go for our voices to resonate within our trade unions.
“Through our solidarity and unity we will be able to achieve great things. To work seriously to defend our rights and promote the position of women in decision-making.”
Mich-Elle Myers, MUA, Australia, Jennifer Murray, Unifor, Canada and Anika Manavi, SYNTRAPAL, Togo were elected Vice Chairs.
The conference concluded with a recognition of the tireless contributions of Ekaterina Yordanova, Terri Mast and Diana Holland, who each accepted gold awards for their decades of dedication to advancing women’s rights in transport.
#ThisIsOurWorldToo
