9 years of the 9 years of the regional regional Women’s Women’s NetworkNetwork1997 – 20061997 – 2006

Short presentation of the Short presentation of the main achievementsmain achievements

1. ESTABLISHMENT1. ESTABLISHMENT November 14-15, 1997 in Gdansk, PolandNovember 14-15, 1997 in Gdansk, Poland At the beginning it At the beginning it was consisted ofwas consisted of 12 12

women’s structures/trade union women’s structures/trade union confederations from 9 CEE countriesconfederations from 9 CEE countries. .

After the unification of the ICFTU and WCL After the unification of the ICFTU and WCL CEE and NIS women’s networks on 30 CEE and NIS women’s networks on 30 October 2005, it gathers together October 2005, it gathers together 43 43 women’s structures in 43 trade union women’s structures in 43 trade union confederations from 24 countriesconfederations from 24 countries. .

Today it has extended its activities to the Today it has extended its activities to the Caucasus and Central Asia, putting together Caucasus and Central Asia, putting together 49 women’s structures from 28 countries.49 women’s structures from 28 countries.

GROVING OF THE GROVING OF THE NETWORKNETWORK

November November 1997:1997:12 women's groups 12 women's groups 9 countries9 countries 2000:2000:23 women's groups23 women's groups15 countries15 countries 2002:2002:27 women's groups27 women's groups18 countries18 countries 2004:2004:33 women's groups33 women's groups22 countries22 countries August 2006:August 2006:49 women's groups (308% more!)49 women's groups (308% more!)28 countries (28 countries (211% more!)211% more!)

2. REPRESENTATION OF 2. REPRESENTATION OF WOMEN IN TRADE UNIONS WOMEN IN TRADE UNIONS

2000/2006:2000/2006: Resolution on the minimum gender positive policy Resolution on the minimum gender positive policy

actionactionplan (PAP – on the basis on the ICFTU global PAP plan (PAP – on the basis on the ICFTU global PAP

policy) forpolicy) forthe trade unions in Central and Eastern Europe:the trade unions in Central and Eastern Europe: To introduce and implement the ICFTU target To introduce and implement the ICFTU target

quota for the representation women at quota for the representation women at decision making bodies and activities at all decision making bodies and activities at all levels at minimum 30%; levels at minimum 30%;

To implement the ICFTU policy on To implement the ICFTU policy on introduction of reserved seats for women in introduction of reserved seats for women in decision making bodies; and decision making bodies; and

To respect the parity of women in trade union To respect the parity of women in trade union education activities at all levels and all education activities at all levels and all issues.issues.

Women representation: Women representation: 2000 - 20062000 - 2006

Average Average proportion of the women trade union proportion of the women trade union members is getting highermembers is getting higher (2006 - 52.6%; 1999 - 43.6%); (2006 - 52.6%; 1999 - 43.6%);

The The average proportion of women attending their average proportion of women attending their confederal congresses confederal congresses 2006: 31,3 %; 2000: 27, 8%), 2006: 31,3 %; 2000: 27, 8%),

The The share of women among the presidents of the share of women among the presidents of the branchbranch affiliated affiliated (2006: 21.0% 2002: 20.7%), (2006: 21.0% 2002: 20.7%),

Visibly higher level of the representation of women in Visibly higher level of the representation of women in the highest trade union executivethe highest trade union executive decision making decision making bodiesbodies (2005: 22.4%; 2000: 15.5%); (2005: 22.4%; 2000: 15.5%);

Average Average women’s parity representation ratewomen’s parity representation rate (2005: 48.7; (2005: 48.7; 2000: 41,8%). 2000: 41,8%).

The strong change has been achieved related to the position The strong change has been achieved related to the position of the trade union women’s structures:of the trade union women’s structures:

- 36 of them have a statutory position36 of them have a statutory position, , - 23 of the women’s structures have a reserved seat23 of the women’s structures have a reserved seat in in

the decision making bodiesthe decision making bodies- 26 has office 26 has office

3. STRATEGIES3. STRATEGIES – Gender – Gender MissionsMissions

Gender missionsGender missions to the highest to the highest leadership of the confederations leadership of the confederations with the lowest representativity rate with the lowest representativity rate or with worrying tendencies.or with worrying tendencies.

So far such gender missions were So far such gender missions were held in 9 confederations in total.held in 9 confederations in total.

STRATEGIES – report of STRATEGIES – report of women’s representationwomen’s representation

• The updated report on the The updated report on the representation of womenrepresentation of women in trade in trade unions in the region is prepared unions in the region is prepared annuallyannually and it is sent to all the women’s and it is sent to all the women’s structures (affiliates of the Network)structures (affiliates of the Network)

• The reports are presented and The reports are presented and disseminated once a year on the meeting disseminated once a year on the meeting of the CEE Coordinating Committee of the CEE Coordinating Committee

• It became quite regular that at least 5-10 It became quite regular that at least 5-10 leaders report at such meetings about the leaders report at such meetings about the activities and position of their women’s activities and position of their women’s structures.structures.

STRATEGIES - STRATEGIES - CampaignsCampaigns

Every year Every year women organise campaigningwomen organise campaigning on on different issues:different issues:

The The largest regional campaign was largest regional campaign was launched on the health protectionlaunched on the health protection three three years ago, which is still going on in many years ago, which is still going on in many countries. countries.

In 2004 a campaign was launched on informal In 2004 a campaign was launched on informal economy and women, and it is still going on. economy and women, and it is still going on.

In 2007 we expect launching a new In 2007 we expect launching a new campaigning against discrimination in the campaigning against discrimination in the workplace.workplace.

STRATEGIES - STRATEGIES - sustainabilitysustainability

During the last six years the Network was During the last six years the Network was supported through the projectssupported through the projects and had a and had a permanent regional coordinatorpermanent regional coordinator; and has ; and has established a certain level of sustainability at the established a certain level of sustainability at the national level, still being very fragile at the sub-national level, still being very fragile at the sub-regional level. regional level.

The Women’s Network got a The Women’s Network got a reserved seat in the reserved seat in the Executive Committee of the CEE Trade Union Executive Committee of the CEE Trade Union CouncilCouncil ( (but, initially, expected to take floor only but, initially, expected to take floor only in the issues related with gender).in the issues related with gender).

Network became visible inside the ICFTU Network became visible inside the ICFTU structures, especially in cooperation with the structures, especially in cooperation with the Women’s Committee.Women’s Committee.

The Network was the first ICFTU structure which The Network was the first ICFTU structure which started good, regular and even formal cooperation started good, regular and even formal cooperation with similar WCL structures.with similar WCL structures.

4. MAIN PROJECTS4. MAIN PROJECTS ““The Promotion of a gender specific policy The Promotion of a gender specific policy

within the trade unions of Central and within the trade unions of Central and Eastern Europe“Eastern Europe“

January 2000 – March 2002January 2000 – March 2002 ““How to Oppose Discrimination on the How to Oppose Discrimination on the

Labour Market in South East Europe” Labour Market in South East Europe” 2001-20032001-2003 ““Women’s Network In Central and Eastern Women’s Network In Central and Eastern

Europe” (The „ILO Project on Collective Europe” (The „ILO Project on Collective Bargaining“)Bargaining“)

February 2004 – January 2006February 2004 – January 2006 Discrimination of Women in the workplace“ Discrimination of Women in the workplace“

(Ongoing ILO-ICFTU-WCL Project)(Ongoing ILO-ICFTU-WCL Project)February 2006 – December 2007February 2006 – December 2007

““The Promotion of a gender specific The Promotion of a gender specific policy within the trade unions of policy within the trade unions of

Central and Eastern Europe“Central and Eastern Europe“

Main products/outcomes:Main products/outcomes: 15 national reports15 national reports were developed by the were developed by the

national teams of experts; national teams of experts; Based on the 15 completed questionnaires from 14 Based on the 15 completed questionnaires from 14

countries, the regional report was prepared –countries, the regional report was prepared –„The „The Male Face of Trade Unions in CEE”Male Face of Trade Unions in CEE”

A training manual was developed : A training manual was developed : „Empowering „Empowering Union Women“ (Union Women“ (translated into at least translated into at least 15 local 15 local languages);languages);

79 women trainers79 women trainers has been trained has been trained At 23 national seminars At 23 national seminars 463 women had been 463 women had been

trainedtrained (only within the project but the trainings (only within the project but the trainings are still are being organised and there is an are still are being organised and there is an estimation that more that 1,500 women were estimation that more that 1,500 women were trained so far).trained so far).

““Women’s Network In Women’s Network In Central and Eastern Central and Eastern

Europe”Europe”Main products/outcomes:Main products/outcomes: 1. A training kit for trainers:1. A training kit for trainers:” Negotiating ” Negotiating

Better Working and Living Conditions. Better Working and Living Conditions. Gender Mainstreaming in Collective Gender Mainstreaming in Collective Bargaining“has been developed and it Bargaining“has been developed and it consists from 4 parts: consists from 4 parts:

Manual 1: Company level Manual 1: Company level Manual 2: Over the company walls: Manual 2: Over the company walls:

Community level, Sectoral collective Community level, Sectoral collective bargaining, National social dialogue bargaining, National social dialogue

Manual 3: Collective negotiating at Manual 3: Collective negotiating at European level European level

Manual 4: Strategy and techniques of Manual 4: Strategy and techniques of negotiations negotiations

““Women’s Network In Women’s Network In Central and Eastern Central and Eastern

Europe” – cont.Europe” – cont. 4 sub-regional trainings 4 sub-regional trainings 84 trainers - women and 84 trainers - women and

menmen (male quota: 30%) were trained (male quota: 30%) were trained The manualsThe manuals (mostly no 1 and no 4, in some case (mostly no 1 and no 4, in some case

all four) have been already translated into all four) have been already translated into 16 16 national languages national languages of the Region (Data from of the Region (Data from January 2006)January 2006)

Until January 2006 at least Until January 2006 at least 35 national training 35 national training activitiesactivities based on the manuals took place in 15 based on the manuals took place in 15 countries (There are estimations that so far more countries (There are estimations that so far more than 1,200 trade unionists, women and men, were than 1,200 trade unionists, women and men, were trained on the basis of the manuals.trained on the basis of the manuals.

In some countries the manuals were printed as their In some countries the manuals were printed as their own manuals, and even used by the employers’ own manuals, and even used by the employers’ organisations. organisations.

Discrimination of Women in the Discrimination of Women in the workplace“ workplace“ (Ongoing ILO-ICFTU-WCL (Ongoing ILO-ICFTU-WCL

Project)Project)Objectives: Objectives: Long-term objectiveLong-term objective: : • To promote women’s human rights in the workplace in CEE and To promote women’s human rights in the workplace in CEE and

NIS region;NIS region;• to develop adequate trade union policies against discrimination to develop adequate trade union policies against discrimination

of women in the workplace and on the labour market;  of women in the workplace and on the labour market;  

Short term objective:Short term objective: • To To collect data and conduct different surveyscollect data and conduct different surveys on on

discrimination of women on the labour market and on trade discrimination of women on the labour market and on trade union anti-discrimination policies;union anti-discrimination policies;

• to to define typical forms of discriminationdefine typical forms of discrimination against women in against women in employment and in the workplace; to identify good practices or employment and in the workplace; to identify good practices or actions to combat discrimination; actions to combat discrimination;

• to produce to produce background materialbackground material to propose anti- to propose anti-discrimination measured/policies within trade unions in the discrimination measured/policies within trade unions in the region, region,

• and to coordinate and to coordinate launching the campaignslaunching the campaigns in the region.   in the region.  

5. The International Women's 5. The International Women's School School

Annual women’s trade union school:Annual women’s trade union school:• is the focal point for the strategic planning of is the focal point for the strategic planning of

the future activities concerning the position of the future activities concerning the position of womenwomen

• at the integrated annual regional conference, at the integrated annual regional conference, women adopt decisions which, together with women adopt decisions which, together with the resolutions or declarations of the School, the resolutions or declarations of the School, they transmit to their leaderships. they transmit to their leaderships.

• It is foreseen that the School could become a It is foreseen that the School could become a common meeting point for the women from the common meeting point for the women from the West and East (ETUC Women’s Committee West and East (ETUC Women’s Committee members plus the Women’s Network members).members plus the Women’s Network members).

The International Women's The International Women's School – topics and School – topics and

achievementsachievements 11stst:: “Challenges women are facing in transitional “Challenges women are facing in transitional

societies: The role of trade union women”,societies: The role of trade union women”, 2000, 2000, Croatia (60 participants)Croatia (60 participants)

22ndnd: “Women and Social Rights”, : “Women and Social Rights”, 2001, Croatia (70 2001, Croatia (70 participants)participants)

33rdrd: “Negotiating for Issues of Concern to Workers : “Negotiating for Issues of Concern to Workers with Family Responsibilities“, with Family Responsibilities“, 2002, Croatia (90 2002, Croatia (90 participants)participants)

44thth: “Women Workers at Atypical Jobs and in : “Women Workers at Atypical Jobs and in Informal Economy”, Informal Economy”, 2003; Croatia (100 participants)2003; Croatia (100 participants)

55thth: “The Impact of Social Reforms on Women and : “The Impact of Social Reforms on Women and Collective Bargaining”, Collective Bargaining”, 2004; Croatia (120 participants)2004; Croatia (120 participants)

66thth: „International and European Social and Gender : „International and European Social and Gender Standards“, Standards“, 2005, Macedonia (165 participants)2005, Macedonia (165 participants)

77thth: “Health and Reproductive Rights”,: “Health and Reproductive Rights”, 2006, 2006, Montenegro (160 participants) Montenegro (160 participants)

6. OTHER MAIN ACHIEVEMNTS 6. OTHER MAIN ACHIEVEMNTS OF THE NETWORKOF THE NETWORK

POLITICAL DECLARATIONSPOLITICAL DECLARATIONS COOPERATION WITH NGOs – at COOPERATION WITH NGOs – at

international, regional and international, regional and national level national level

COOPERATION WITH DIFFERENT COOPERATION WITH DIFFERENT INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS UNITED NATIONS INSTITUTIONS UNITED NATIONS ETC.ETC.

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTSOTHER ACHIEVEMENTS

OTHER ACHIEVEMNTS OF THE OTHER ACHIEVEMNTS OF THE NETWORK – Political declarations NETWORK – Political declarations

– examples – examples ““The globalisation and fair transition for The globalisation and fair transition for

working families”.working families”.

Resolution on the minimum gender positive Resolution on the minimum gender positive policy action plan for the trade unions in policy action plan for the trade unions in Central and Eastern Europe, 2002Central and Eastern Europe, 2002

Resolution “Resolution “How to Oppose Discrimination How to Oppose Discrimination on the Labour Market in the SEE on the Labour Market in the SEE RegionRegion”, ”, 20032003

Declaration on Maternity Protection in the Declaration on Maternity Protection in the South-Eastern European CountriesSouth-Eastern European Countries, 2006; , 2006; etc.etc.

OTHER OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS:ACHIEVEMENTS:

With leaders and members of women's trade union groups With leaders and members of women's trade union groups there was a there was a significant increase in the awareness of significant increase in the awareness of the discrimination of women in society,the discrimination of women in society,

Self-awareness and the Self-awareness and the respectability of women's trade respectability of women's trade union groupsunion groups in trade unions and the public in trade unions and the public

Women in trade unions Women in trade unions identified prioritiesidentified priorities and began and began thinking of their own strategies and policies to address thinking of their own strategies and policies to address those prioritiesthose priorities

Co-operation between women's trade union groups with Co-operation between women's trade union groups with the academic community, as well as the academic community, as well as with non-with non-government organizations and government government organizations and government institutionsinstitutions

Women's trade union groups have Women's trade union groups have become visible in become visible in their own trade unions and have achieved a greater their own trade unions and have achieved a greater influence on the process of the democratic influence on the process of the democratic transformation of trade unions as well as on the transformation of trade unions as well as on the regular activity of the trade unionregular activity of the trade union

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS – OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS – cont.cont.

In numerous trade unions, In numerous trade unions, gender positive policies gender positive policies and mechanisms in trade unions have been and mechanisms in trade unions have been introducedintroduced

Co-operation with the training departments of trade Co-operation with the training departments of trade union confederations for a union confederations for a greater involvement of greater involvement of women in regular programswomen in regular programs

The Women’s Network has strengthened and The Women’s Network has strengthened and developed developed

Cross-border co-operationCross-border co-operation of the women's trade of the women's trade union groupsunion groups

numerous conflict prevention activitiesnumerous conflict prevention activities have been have been carried out carried out

The The visibility of the CEE Women’s Network within visibility of the CEE Women’s Network within ICFTUICFTU, has also been achieved , has also been achieved

A quality level of A quality level of co-operation with ILOco-operation with ILO and support and support was granted for various projects, was granted for various projects,

7. PROBLEMS7. PROBLEMS

Political/financial problems at different levels: Political/financial problems at different levels: Issue of the formal position of the Women’s Network Issue of the formal position of the Women’s Network

within the future Pan-European Trade Union Council; within the future Pan-European Trade Union Council; position of the Regional Women’s School;position of the Regional Women’s School;

Position of the Network at the global level (Women’s Position of the Network at the global level (Women’s Committee of the New International);Committee of the New International);

Enabling conferences and activities at sub-regional Enabling conferences and activities at sub-regional level (6 sub-regions) of the Women’s Network;level (6 sub-regions) of the Women’s Network;

Financing the permanent regional coordinator of the Financing the permanent regional coordinator of the Network;Network;

Fundraising for the projects (future of the CEE Unit);Fundraising for the projects (future of the CEE Unit); Providing statutory position of the women’s Providing statutory position of the women’s

structures at national level;structures at national level;

7. PROBLEMS – cont.7. PROBLEMS – cont. Problems of giving formal support or reserved seats, or Problems of giving formal support or reserved seats, or

if giving not really allowing the implementation at if giving not really allowing the implementation at national level;national level;

Preventing/reacting on the cases of the pressure Preventing/reacting on the cases of the pressure imposed on the women activists/leaders by the highest imposed on the women activists/leaders by the highest trade union leaders in their confederations due to their trade union leaders in their confederations due to their trade union activities within the women’s structures, at trade union activities within the women’s structures, at the congresses, during campaigns or in occasion of the the congresses, during campaigns or in occasion of the International Women’s Day activities;International Women’s Day activities;

Male leaders in some countries still want to interfere Male leaders in some countries still want to interfere into the internal affairs of the women’s structures or into the internal affairs of the women’s structures or even they try to nominate-elect-manipulate women even they try to nominate-elect-manipulate women leaders;leaders;

The Network and its members sometimes are being The Network and its members sometimes are being marginalized as they are allowed to discuss only on the marginalized as they are allowed to discuss only on the gender issues (starting from CEETUC ending on such gender issues (starting from CEETUC ending on such practice in many countries).practice in many countries).