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All members who have attended training have
had follow up contact regarding their
progress on actions. An additional survey is
being developed for all members in the
region.
There is still much work to be done, and other
areas to be addressed such as elder abuse,
but the next steps are to use the information
from the survey to negotiate good workplace
policies and procedures with employers.
Encouraging women to vote and take part in
all levels of democracy –
The committee produced a flyer for members
on ‘reasons to vote’ and promoted it
throughout the region in the months before
the general election. The spring edition of
women’s voice newsletter was an election
special.
Members, along with our regional women’s
officer, met Harriet Harman in Gloucester
with the pink bus, and gave her a copy of the
SW women's manifesto. The document had
previously been circulated urging every
member to use its lists of demands to
challenge all prospective parliamentary
candidates and local councillors in the run up
to the election.
Regional activists were involved in question
time style debates with key parliamentary
candidates in Stroud, Exeter, Dorchester and
Wiveliscombe. A women’s equality 50:50 day
held in Exeter was supported by members of
the committee.
Recruitment – International Women’s Day
provided a good opportunity for this.
Members in the University of the West of
England held a week long range of events and
also training on women’s career progression
and confidence at work delivered by the
regional women’s and equalities officer.
A week of activities was held across Dorset
with stalls highlighting our work and local
campaigns
In Torquay local government and health
branches organised a street stall.
The women’s recruitment packs are used at
events throughout the region.
Female Genital mutilation – The committee
decided to raise awareness on this issue, (our
motion which became part of composite A at
national conference) in a number of ways.
The Home Office facts leaflet was circulated
to the women’s email network and members
were encouraged to campaign and raise
awareness on International Women’s Day.
Unfortunately the planned workshop at our
regional conference was cancelled on the day
due to the facilitator’s ill-health.
Mental Health – training on this issue,
including the particular issues for women was
delivered in autumn 2014, January, February
and November through the regional
education programme. Ensuring it remains a
priority concern the committee arranged a
“mental health and looking after yourself”
workshop at this, and last year’s, regional
women’s conference. The regional
development and organising committee
agreed to support the progression of our
work on developing a toolkit for branches to
monitor and track mental health issues, not
yet started.
Communication – We continue to find new
ways of reaching women members through
social media, conferences, training as well as
SOG news and women’s voice newsletter.
Progress on other motions passed at this
year’s NWC – this is being undertaken by
awareness raising at our regional conference.
Encouraging young women to get involved in
the union is always a priority and this year the
workshop “Empowering young women and
campaigning” is also in response to NWC
motion 2.
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