Less women in trade unions - Study reveals

Kwasi Adu Amankwah (standing)launching the book. With him are Kofi Asamaoh (left) and Hilma Mote (right).

Posted on: www.dailyguideghana.com

By William Yaw Owusu
Tuesday April 12, 2011.
The reasons why women do not fight for positions in the various trade unions is because most people, particularly men have negative perceptions about them and doubt their leadership capabilities and this tend to dampen their enthusiasm.

The few who brave the odds to survive and succeed are intimidated, discouraged, discriminated against and called all sorts of names, a research on “The status of women in trade unions in Africa has revealed.”

The research, which was conducted in eight African countries, including Ghana by the African Labour Research Network (ALRN), is seeking to create a level playing field and encourage women to take leadership positions in labour unions on the continent.

At the launch of the report in Accra on Friday, one of the lead researchers, Hilma Mote of Namibia said women’s involvement in trade union activities is not encouraging on the African continent, citing teachers and nurses unions as areas where women dominate but are underrepresented at the leadership level.

She said negative perceptions by males and some females about the ability of women to lead unions are discouraging potential women leaders, adding “we are not asking anything from the men…we are only soliciting for equal opportunities.”

“The men are quick to embrace gender equality measures but when it is time for implementation, they fail to internalize these principles.”

Ms. Mote said gender issues in the unions should be spearheaded by women who must encourage the men to be part of the crusade otherwise women would continue to be mere observers noting “the sensitization exercise should cut across the gender divide for the benefit of the trade union movement.”

“The unions should show signs of commitment in tackling gender inequalities. If unions are to be seen as human rights advocates and real agents for change then gender mainstreaming efforts should not be undermined.”

Discussing the report, Dr. Akua Britwum of the University of Cape Coast, said the gender advocacy deficit in Africa cannot be acceptable.

She said “this undermines the unions’ credibility to fight for the rights and welfare of workers. It is a legitimate call to talk about issues relating to women’s participation in position of leadership in the unions and how such issues should be addressed.”

Admitting that women participation in activities of trade union is low, Dr. Britwum attributed it to the lack of capacity building, low educational attainment, family responsibilities, domestic culture and the absence of role models.

“These are all inhibiting their desire to take up leadership positions in the unions,” adding “we should take pragmatic steps to deal with poor functioning of structures, weak infrastructural support and trade unions organizational culture”.

Veronica Ayikwei Kofie, first woman head of department of the Ghana TUC, who shared her experience, said there was no need for women to be confrontational in their quest to get leadership positions, saying “don’t fight the men…use persuasive language to get the men to your side.”

Kofi Asamoah, General Secretary of the Ghana Trade Union Congress (TUC), said the union has made an appreciable effort to integrate gender equality and there was the need to encourage more women.

Launching the report, Kwasi Adu Amankwa, former TUC Secretary General and now Secretary General of ITUC-Africa, said internalizing gender issues in the unions is a right and not a privilege.