EI’s First World Women’s Conference Première conférence mondiale des femmes de l’IE Primera Conferencia Mundial de la Mujer de la IE - On the Move for Equality - Objectif égalité - En Camino Hacia La Igualdad EI Status of Women Committee - Comité de la promotion des femmes de l’IE Comite Sobre La Condicion De La Mujer de la IE Cape Town, 21 March 2011 EI Human and Trade Union Rights and Equality Unit Aims of the Conference • To create a joint understanding of the state of progress towards equality for women and men in unions, education and society. • To advance and empower women and girls through education. • To further the achievement of gender equality in unions and education, validate the effectiveness of the networks in the struggle for gender equality. • To create a global equality network of the existing women’s networks. Teachers on the move for equality Fred van Leeuwen, EI General Secretary: “We, in Education International, are priviliged to have so many inspiring women activists among us, making up a tremendous global potential to achieve social and democratic change everywhere.” Susan Hopgood, EI President “We are in a position to stimulate change, to achieve transformation. We are in the right area of work: Education; and we are in the right organizational framework: Trade Unions.” Nature of the Conference participatory diverse informative inspiring action-oriented The participants 368 participants, of those: 110 network activists 40 male participants Africa: 46 – Asia-Pacific: 160 – Europe: 73 North America/ Caribbean: 31 – Latin America: 19 4 plenary sessions with 19 keynote and panel speakers 42 workshops organised by 60 facilitators 36 interventions from participants at closing plenary Plenary Programme 20.1.: Connecting the EI Women’s Networks through past and future strategies Regional equality coordinators and network representatives 21.1.: Taking Stock of the Status of Women in Today’s World Keynote: Susan Hopgood, President Panel: Christine Nathan, ILO; Fatima da Silva, EIAL; Gemma Adaba, former ITUC; Jan Eastman, EI; Joyce Powell, NEA 22.1.: Advancing and Empowering Girls and Women in and through Education Keynote: Saniye Gülser Corat, UNESCO Panel: Carolyn Hannan, former UN DAW; Assibi Napoe, EIAf; Maki Hayashikawa, UNGEI 23.1.: A Step Closer to Equality Report: Teopista Birungi, EIAf Panel: Milagros Ogalinda, EIAP; Gloria Inés Ramiréz, Senate Colombia; Lorretta Johnson, AFT Workshop Programme Advocacy: Can UN Women close the equality gap?; The struggle in countries with reservations to CEDAW; The position of women in transition countries; Gender and climate change; Las mujeres como fuerza de paz y desarrollo; The unions’ role: migration of teachers; Las mujeres en el proceso político; Strategies to improve the economic empowerment of women; Protection sociale des travailleuses de l'éducation; Maternity protection and benefits; Gender equity and employment in education & research; Las mujeres en la educación superior en América Latina; Ageing and the teaching profession; Equality index for education with focus on pay equity Moving unions towards equality; Women in unions reconciling work & family responsibilities; ETUCE action plan on Gender Equality; Gender Audit as a tool for mainstreaming gender equality; Women’s networks as the vehicle for gender equality; Linking the union to the community Education for Girls and Women: GAW 2011; A future for girls: education, not child labour; Pregnant & parenting girls in education; Sexuality education as a vehicle for girls’ empowerment; L'éducation physique et le sport à l'école Indigenous girls: Gender, Ethnicity and Education; Gender equality and the achievement of girls and boys; Teacher competencies to enhance gender justice; Digital media: promote women’s issues in the classroom; Teaching for diversity: Sexism, racism & homophobia; Women and HIV; Gender perspective in development cooperation Addressing violence against women through promotion of women's rights Social/ Cultural Programme 19.1.: Social Hour to Meet and Greet 20.1.: Opening reception 21.1.: Reception and dinner Exhibition of union materials Recommendations Recommendations, to be effective, need to be endorsed at all levels, and lead to a strong, clear and coherent programme of policy and action which has the capacity to motivate and engage at the national, regional and global levels. Action Plan 2011 – 2015 Strengthen and democratize unions Ensure inclusive gender-sensitive quality public education Mobilize Member Organizations Build and maintain partnerships, alliances and coalitions that address public policy issues Develop a communication and research strategy Development of the plan through consultation with the Status of Women Committee, the Women’s Caucus, and with feedback from member organizations, and regional and sub-regional networks. On the Move for Equality Conference 2 Feedback from participants “High level of participation and diversity” “Good networking opportunities” “I have witnessed some women grow in confidence in leaps and bounds in the course of three days.” “Very helpful working documents and materials” “A source of motivation” Thank you for your active contribution! Merci de votre contribution active! Gracias por su contribución! Conference documents, speeches & presentations, videos & photos: www.ei-ie.org/women2011