AWN-annual meeting

In a complicated environment, in which women are facing violence, discrimination, marginalization and sexual harassment, women trade unions are experiencing even more difficulties at their work place, not only because they are women but also because they are unions.

The Arab Women Network (AWN) remains the most representative initiative in the MENA region to stand for women rights and protect worker´s right as well as to promote the role of women in decision-making process. In the frame of the cooperation with the Arab Trade Union Confederation (ATUC) and the support of the FES regional trade union project for the AWN, trade unionist as well as activists from civil society organizations from eleven Arabic countries came together on 5th and 6th March in Tunis. It was for the first time that such a meeting between trade unionist and activists took place.

Both stakeholders discussed the main issues in the region and agreed on a survey about women presence at work place to find out in which sector women are most presented and what difficulties they are facing. The survey and study should be finalized in 2017.

Trade unionist and activists will work together on a national level to guarantee a good quality of the study. The FES trade union project aims to build bridges between trade unions and civil society organizations and to facilitate networking between influential actors for more social justice.