Challenges and barriers and how to overcome them.

Trade union strength is based on each member having an equal say and together building a collective voice.

Some people are more confident than others. As long as the less confident members of a

union have more or less the same views as the more confident, nothing will go far wrong. This is often the case with groups of women.

The established way of doing things which a male dominated organisation has built up over decades, can lead to a sense of exclusion for women.

How do you welcome members and make both women and men feel comfortable and integrated in your trade union organisation?

are there any practical barriers to taking part or being more involved?

how do you collect and decide the issues which you will work on? Are women involved in these discussions?

do you have elected posts or a women’s group which speaks up for women?

how and when do you invite feedback from members?

do you regularly monitor union participation?

do you have an equality policy which commits you to integrating women?

Trade union institutionalised culture?

-tradition?-the way how decisions are taken and things

are done?- …?

Lack of political will?

Lack of clear and realistic strategy?

…?

Lack of understanding what gender equality is about?

Lack of gender awareness?

…?

General lack of understanding in the society what gender equality on the labour market is about?

Tradition and culture?- equal access to jobs- job segregation Finances?-equal pay?- maternity? ...?

How to overcome these challenges/barries to gender equality at the workplace?