We recently announced the merger of Sisters to the Front with UWU and we're thrilled to announce a series of events, where we will work together to create a powerful response to sexual violence within our movement.
Through a series of four workshops that will be built on the lived experiences of our members, we will collectively design a UWU mechanism to confront and tackle sexual violence head-on. Our aim is clear: to break the silence, demand accountability, and push for the establishment of an independent standards authority that ensures the safety and dignity of all union workers.
Why This Matters
Over four sessions, we will explore the root causes of abuse within our movement and beyond. By examining how power is distributed, both within unions and in society at large, we will ask hard questions: Who holds power, and how do existing union structures either challenge or uphold that power imbalance? Together, we will chart a path towards building structures that truly empower, protect, and support every worker in our union.
Workshop 1 - Saturday 19 October | 10:00 – 15:00
- Defining sexual violence: developing a shared understanding.
- Mapping our lived experiences and placing them within the broader framework of structural power.
- Examining standards: what they are, how they can be utilised to foster safer spaces.
Workshop 2 - Saturday 23 November | 10:00 – 15:00
- Reflecting on the key insights from session one.
- Analysing independent standards and refining our position.
- Starting the process of co-creating independent standards on sexual violence in our union.
Details of Workshops 3 and 4 will be announced in due course.
Let’s unite our voices and build a movement where every woman is heard, respected, and protected. Join UWU and together, we can reshape the future of our union.