Fedusa

Ms. Dawn Le Roux
National Gender and
HIV/AIDS Co-ordinator

Background to the Equity Forum:

The FEDUSA Equity Forum is an active substructure of the Federation and is involved in a number of interesting and challenging issues.

One of the main focus areas for the Equity Forum has been the realisation of gender equality in the workplace. Equality between women and men is both a human rights issue and a precondition for sustainable people-centred development. Equality should not be seen as a “woman’s issue”, as it concerns men as well. It does not also mean that women and men will become the same, but that women and men’s rights, responsibilities and opportunities will not depend on whether they are born male or female.

With the above in mind, the Equity Forum has been working hard at empowering our women folk to become more active in the union world, as women are still under-represented in trade unions. The Equity Forum encourages our affiliated unions to take steps to overcome the barriers to female participation and to ensure that women are visible and active in all aspects of union life, - as members, activists, and leaders. Unions cannot be credible unless women are adequately represented and fully involved in all union structures and business.

With the aim of empowering our women, FEDUSA has run a four block Gender Leadership Course, that was completed on 27 August 1999, as well as a Gender Awareness Course in May 2000. Both these courses were very well attended and requests were received from the participants for more advanced training. FEDUSA therefore offered a course on Women Leadership in Trade Unions during the second half of 2002.

What the Equity Forum stands for:

The Equity Forum stands for freedom, dignity and equality in the workplace. For the development of men and women in South Africa – for transparency, fair labour practices and upward mobility for all.

The Main Objectives of the Equity Forum are to:

Strive to eliminate discriminatory practices and to ensure equality in the workplace
Empower members by educating and training them concerning their rights
Recognise the contribution of women in the workplace
Educate employees and employers concerning all gender issues
Raise awareness and eradicate sexual harassment in the workplace
Join the fight against child labour
Create sensitivity to problems related to HIV / AIDS and its effects in the workplace. Effects such as: families, medical aids, pension funds and other AIDS related issues.
Promote concern for workers affected by family responsibilities.

How often does the Equity Forum meet and who attends and where are the meetings held:

The FEDUSA Equity Forum meets quarterly, one week before the National Executive Committee (NEC) of FEDUSA meets, so as to input into this meeting, as well as in August to celebrate National Women’s Day. The Equity Forum is attended by gender co-ordinators, educators and training officers of all our affiliate unions. Meetings are held in the FEDUSA Head-office Boardroom.

Challenges facing FEDUSA’s Equity Forum:

To be a great deal more proactive;
To ensure that relevant information reaches the shop floor;
To respond to controversial matters immediately, such as the increase in rape, especially of babies and little children;
Active involvement and participation in all FEDUSA activities;
Reaffirming our commitment to the dealing with HIV / AIDS epidemic.