A landmark event in Wales marking International Women’s Day (Friday) will explore gender equality, women’s history and their struggles and successes.
Public services union, UNISON, and Velindre University NHS Trust are co-hosting a day of activities to inspire women to demand an equal voice at work, home and in society. The two organisations hope their all-Wales reach can help to encourage a cultural change.
Today’s #BalanceForBetter event at Coleg y Cymoedd Nantgarw Campus in Cardiff is free and open to the public. It will include a ‘Wall of Women’ exhibition from WEN Wales and speakers from across generations and cultures. Workshops include helping young women workers achieve a fairer deal and a menopause café to provide advice and support in all areas of menopause in the workplace.
Jenny Griffin, UNISON Cymru Wales lead officer for women’s rights, said,
“We want to celebrate women’s achievements and inspire women to defy gender expectations and shape their own future. That means we need a better balance of women in power, in workplaces, government and life.
“Every gain women have made in the eyes of the law: the Abortion Act; Equal Pay Act; Sex Discrimination and Equality Acts and Minimum Wage legislation, women in trade unions have fought for. When we stand together, we win change that benefits the whole of society.”
Ceri Harris BEM, equality and diversity manager, Velindre University NHS Trust, said,
“Achieving real equality for women is exciting and we’ve tried to reflect that with today’s #BalanceForBetter events. Velindre University NHS Trust is an organisation that can set a great example. We meet hundreds of patients, donors, and their families every day at critical moments in their lives and we want to make sure our values properly reflect how society should be.
“Equality is inviting people to a party. Inclusion is asking them to dance.”
Notes to editors
The joint UNISON Cymru Wales – Velindre University Health Trust event International Women’s Day event #BalanceForBetter is 10am-4pm, Friday 8 March 2019, at Coleg y Cymoedd Nantgarw Campus, Cardiff CF15 7QY
Eventbrite link to obtain FREE tickets
UNISON is a predominantly female public services union, with nearly 100,000 members in Wales and Velindre is an all-Wales employer dealing with the public in serious times.
Planned activities at #BalanceForBetter include:
Exhibition of ‘Wall of Women’ images of #legendarywomen provided by WEN Wales, Draig Enfys, Amgueddfa Cymru/National Museum Wales, Cardiff Story Museum, and others
Panel speakers:
David Rees – AM and Chair of the STEM Cross Party Group
Norena Shopland – Historian and Author of “Forbidden Lives: LGBT stories from Wales
Sahar Al-Faifi – Muslim Engagement and Development.
Abi Carter -Remembering Srebrenica
Kendall Bromley – UNISON Young Members.
Cllr Debbie Wilcox – Newport City Council Leader
An Ting – Chinese Art Now
Workshops:
Menopause café – providing advice and support in all areas of menopause in the workplace
Showing of Velindre’s interview with Robert Webb, on his book How Not to be a Boy – Followed by book club
Young worker activities
Stalls from local organisations, charities and public sector bodies
Contact
Alastair Gittins, UNISON Press Officer on 07816 538397
