UNISON Northern Region’s International Committee is celebrating International Women’s Day 2017. This year’s theme is: Be Bold for Change.

UNISON Northern Region’s International Committee is celebrating International Women’s Day 2017. This year’s theme is: Be Bold for Change.

Over the past year it is my belief that this committee and its members have very much made bold strides in empowering and supporting women not only within our own communities but across the world.

Within Colombia, the region has support the Annual Women’s Forum in the Valle del Cauca region since its inception seven years ago. It is a significant political event for the participating organisations and communities, at which human rights atrocities are publically denounced by victims demanding justice for their families

The region’s successful project with the Women’s Sugar Cane Committee is also part of UNISON’s wider solidarity work in Colombia in partnership with NOMADESC, and has helped around 100 women across eight different communities to develop organising and campaigning skills. This past year we at the International Committee, in partnership with UNISON Northern Region Women’s Network, organised a Colombian Salsa night at World Head Quarters in Newcastle, which was very well attended and successful in raising much needed funds for this valuable project.

It is important to recognise that internationally it is women leading the fight. We can look and feel disheartened by recent election results with the rise of President Trump, the Brexit result and the rise of hate against minority communities both in the USA and back home since. However, if we look at what has followed with the International Women’s Marches and the Black Lives Matter movement that came before and continues to grow, we can see that women are standing up and using their voice to fight for equality in their communities.

We all have an important role to play in raising women up and empowering them so that we can all Be Bold for Change.

Hannah Stevenson

Vice Chair – UNISON Northern Region International Committee