The 6th UNI Asia and Pacific Women’s Conference, themed Rising Together to Transform, brought together more than 200 women from 20 countries, uniting voices and strategies to shape a transformative future. Held with the vision of creating inclusive unions and equitable workplaces, this landmark event served as a platform to address key challenges and chart a progressive path forward.
Christy Hoffman, General Secretary of UNI Global Union, set the tone for the conference with her powerful message:
“We don’t just want change – we want transformation. Something much bigger. We must transform our economies. We must transform the role and power of unions. And we must transform unions themselves, so we are more inclusive of young people and women.”
Her words underscored the conference’s mission to advocate for systemic change across industries and unions, creating spaces where women and young workers can thrive.
The conference saw the re-election of Women’s President Ayako Nakata of UA ZENSEN, Japan, a testament to her dedication and vision for women’s empowerment in the region.
Sri Lanka was notably represented by nearly 20 women union leaders, highlighting the country’s commitment to advancing gender equality and labor rights. Among them were prominent voices like Comrade Shanika Silva, President of UNI SLAC Women’s Committee, and Comrade Sachini Wijesekara, both of whom played pivotal roles in the discussions.
The agenda centered on motions that align with UNI Apro Women’s strategic priorities for 2024-2028:
1. Transforming for a Decent Work and a Sustainable World – Addressing the need for policies and practices that ensure fair wages, secure employment, and environmentally sustainable industries.
2. Transforming for Gender Equality and a Safe Working Environment – Highlighting the urgent need for measures that eliminate workplace discrimination, harassment, and gender-based violence while promoting equal opportunities for women.
3. Women Transforming Unions – Focusing on the active leadership of women in unions to bring about structural changes that benefit diverse groups of workers.
4. Safety for All: Gender-Responsive OSH (Occupational Safety and Health) – Advocating for workplace safety standards that address the specific needs of women workers and ensure a secure environment for all.
5. Transforming for Young Women – Promoting policies and initiatives to include and empower the next generation of women leaders in unions and workplaces.
Comrade Shanika Silva contributed significantly as a panelist on Motion 4 and chaired the discussions on Motion 5, emphasizing the importance of creating gender-responsive safety standards. Meanwhile, Comrade Sachini Wijesekara shared her expertise as a panelist on Motion 6, advocating for the active inclusion and empowerment of young women in unions.
The conference concluded with a renewed commitment to achieving transformation at every level—economic, social, and organizational. Participants left with actionable strategies to drive gender equality, ensure safe workplaces, and foster an inclusive culture within unions. This historic gathering highlighted the collective power of women across the Asia and Pacific region, united under a shared goal: to rise together and transform the future of work.
