Women

The Council of Trade Unions has congratulated the Human Rights Commission’s latest census on women’s participation, saying it is a very valuable tool for tracking progress on gender equality.

The Commission’s will later today release their third Census of Women's Participation.  This is the second release that includes data on trade unions.

“Workplaces can do their bit to support breastfeeding mums on their return to work,” said CTU secretary Carol Beaumont.

The National Strategic Plan of Action for Breastfeeding was launched today, and was backed by the World Health Organisation.

“Women joining together in unions continues to be a positive way to make a difference at work and to their lives outside the job,” CTU secretary Carol Beaumont said today.

“Women won the right to vote through standing up collectively over 100 years ago to put the issue on the table and campaign around it.”

"Breast feeding mums need to feel confident that workplaces have policies in place and a culture that supports them and their babies at work," CTU secretary Carol Beaumont said today.

Today is the end of World Breastfeeding Week, and the start of the 24 hour world record attempt on simultaneous breastfeeding.  Several events are getting underway around New Zealand this morning in workplaces, community centres and public halls.

“International Working Women’s Day is an opportunity to undertake a stocktake on the position of women in the paid workforce and our assessment is that while progress is being made, much more is needed to ensure working women achieve quality working lives,” CTU secretary Carol Beaumont said on International Working Women’s Day today.

The Council of Trade Unions is marking world breastfeeding week with a reminder to employers that providing a supportive working environment is critical in retaining staff.

"Provisions enabling mothers to breastfeed at work are important for family-friendly workplaces," Carol Beaumont, CTU secretary said today.

Extensions to paid parental leave passed by Parliament will further assist working women to achieve quality working lives, the Council of Trade Unions said tonight.

An amendment bill to extend paid parental leave coverage to self-employed workers passed into law a short time ago with cross party support.

Unions are serious about wanting to increase women's participation in the trade union movement, CTU Secretary Carol Beaumont said today.

The Human Rights Commission today released their second Census of Women's Participation in Governance and Professional Life, which this year included trade unions.

Unions are highlighting the many thousands of working women in New Zealand whose work is undervalued and underpaid this International Women's Day, CTU Secretary Carol Beaumont said today.

Click here for details about events unions are involved in to recognise International Womens Day in 2006.