Kate has been a member of STUC Women’s Committee in one of
two Trades Union Council seats for the past two years. She was re-elected
unopposed for a further term.
Delegates discussed a wide range of issues affecting women
as workers, as trade unionists, as mothers, as carers. As always there was a
focus on women’s health, highlighting that employers are still not addressing
the needs of menstruating and menopausal women, pregnant and breastfeeding
women, with calls to lobby employers and government for change. The shameful
increase in the gender pay gap was also highlighted, alongside the rise in
violence towards women and children and the impact on women nationally and internationally of
patriarchal and class based oppression. And of course, combating the far right
was a key theme which ran through much of the conference.
The STUC Women's Committee Manifesto for the 2026 Scottish Parliament elections was also launched at the Conference.
Kate spoke in three debates on day 1. Below are brief
reports on each of them.
Celebrate the Sex Discrimination Act with courageous
conversations about women’s rights
As delegate from ATUC Kate spoke to support a celebration of the Sex
Discrimination Act (now subsumed into the Equality Act) but also to recognise
the challenges in progressing women’s equality.
She pointed out the similarities to the ATUC motion from
last year’s conference, also celebrating the 50th anniversary of the
Sex Discrimination Act.
Kate said, “Women make up a large and growing number of
trade union members and yet we are still disadvantaged in a myriad of different
ways in this patriarchal society which, despite decades of struggle, still
privileges men”.
She called for a recognition that in certain circumstances,
women, as an oppressed group in a male dominated world, need to be with other
women who share our experiences.
She asked for open and respectful dialogue as to how women’s
rights under the Equality Act can be fully implemented without disadvantaging
other vulnerable groups.
“In celebrating the Sex Discrimination Act we have to have
courageous conversations across the trade union movement,” urged Kate.
Use Global Gender Index to end sex inequality
That was the message from STUC Women’s Conference as it
backed UNISON’s call for better use and promotion of the SDG Gender Index.
Seconding UNISON’s motion, Kate Ramsden, ATUC delegate,
condemned worldwide sex inequality saying, “Global capitalism is at the root of
war, climate change, sex inequality, discrimination and poverty. And all of
these ills impact on women’s lives the most.”
She highlighted the importance of publicising the SDG Gender
Index widely and used to spur policy makers to action, not just in this country
or across the world.
“But for accident of birth those women suffering oppression
and persecution because of their sex could be us,” warned Kate.
Amplifying the voices of women in Gaza
Delegates condemned all violence against civilians and
pledged to lobby the Scottish and UK governments to promote sustainable peace
in Gaza based on human rights and international law.
Speaking on behalf of the STUC Women’s Committee, Kate
Ramsden condemned Israel’s massacre of over 70,000 Palestinians, 70% of them
women and children.
“But it’s not only the deaths,” said Kate, “Though God
knows, the loss of so many mothers, grandmothers, sisters, daughters and sons
is a pain hard to bear.”
However, she added, it’s also the impact on women of
constant displacement, the lack of food and basic medicines, and the lack of
access to basic necessities like sanitary wear for the 690,000 menstruating
women and girls in Gaza; the lack of maternity care; the increased risk of
sexual violence.
“You can see how important it is that we, in the West,
amplify the voices and experiences of women and children in Gaza,” said Kate,
calling on delegates to walk a mile in the shoes of the women of Gaza, however
painful. To stand in solidarity with them. To be their voices.
She ended with a quote from a Facebook friend in Gaza
writing powerfully about the women of Gaza, their strength and their
vulnerability.
“Displacement leaves deep scars on the women of Gaza.
Between the loss of safety, the absence of shelter and the worsening of basic
needs, women bear the heaviest burden in painful silence.
“Every displacement is not just a move away from one place
to another but a tearing away of a piece of the soul..
“Today the women of Gaza are the last line of defence for
what remains of life amid the rubble.”
Other highlights
Speak out with courage
“No woman should have to choose between work and their
family,” added Pearl, outlining the committee’s work for work life balance,
amongst all the other campaigns undertaken on women’s rights.
Women’s health must be treated as a centre pillar for fair
work and equality.
“Our movement is based on courage. The courage to speak out
against injustice. Where women lead, others follow,” said Pearl, as she
launched the STUC Women’s Committee manifesto for the forthcoming Scottish
elections.
Standing together for action on women’s rights
Roz began with an attack on the vicious and divisive
messages of the far right. She paid tribute to all those sisters who have stood
up in their communities, including Falkirk, against the far right.
“They will never divide us,” said Roz, warning that we will
do everything we can to stop a movement led by privileged, misogynist men like
Nigel Farage.
She highlighted the current dangers and slammed the
political climate that has allowed the messages of the far right to take hold;
the cost of living crisis with wages held down, public services starved of
funds and sexual harassment rife.
But women trade unionists across Scotland are leading the
fight back, said Roz. For example, charity sector care staff, most of them
women, are rightly demanding parity with NHS colleagues. “We stand in
solidarity with those workers just as with every workers in struggle.”
Roz also pledged international solidarity with sisters
across the world including those facing genocide in Gaza.
She spoke of the Scotland Demands Better March “led by
women” and commended the Women’s Committee manifesto setting out women’s
demands.
“Let’s keep standing together and demand real action of the
Scottish and UK governments,” urged Roz.
“When we join together in our communities we can build our
power and truly demand better.”
Tackling misogyny, racism and the rhetoric of the far
right
A Panel session on combatting the far right heard an excellent presentation
from Jordan Daly of TIE demonstrating how social media is proliferating right
wing messages of hate and division. In an address that was both informative and
chilling, Jordan set out how young people are sucked into misogyny and racism
through insidious messaging.
He also set out strategies to challenge this messaging,
based on empathy, and challenging misinformation.
He was joined by Rebecca Don Kennedy of the Equality Network
and Dalia Impiglia of Maryhill Integration Network who spoke from direct
experience of the rise in racism against vulnerable migrants and right wing
populism.
Finally STUC Women’s Committee vice chair, Liz McGachey
spoke about the committee’s actions to challenge the far right including our
involvement in the setting up of Women Against the Far Right.
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| STUC Women's Committee 2025-2026 |
