Marking the 100 th Anniversary of international Women Workers Day,Fourth national Conference of Women Workers under the GEFONT umbrella has been organised with the main theme of“Equal Right,Decent Work & Prosperous Life for Women Workers.
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The Conference was inaugurated by Chief Guest  Rt.Hon’ble Prime Minister  Madhav Kumar Nepal By launching the Logo of Conference.

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Addressing the Ceremony as the Chief Guest Prime Minister made appeal to all Women Workers to fight against all kinds of Violence, Discrimination, Abuses and Social Oppression by organising in Trade Union. Rt. Hon’ able further Stated- “Our Country is in the Constitution  making Process,to eradicate all kinds of Violence & Social Discrimination  against Women  and make Equal, Decent Work & Prosperous Life for Women Workers, issues should be incorporated in new constitution. Our collective efforts need to make this happen.

Addressing the ceremony Com. Bishnu Rimal, President of GEFONT said that’Not more than 20/22 years back Women participation within GEFONT was Zero .After the establishment of GEFONT Central Women Workers Committee  a series of National Conference were conducted on the issues of Women participation in all level of state mechanism including political parties and civil  Organizations. GEFONT’s fifth National Congress has ensured 33% Women representation in National Executive Committee”.

President further stated “The division of Male Workers-Female Workers in work place prevents to fight against Economy abuses. Due to the Patriarchal Society, we still found discrimination between boys and girl on the matter of education and health. To abolish all kinds of discrimination against women, GEFONT has been campaigning on Equal Right, Decent Work & Prosperous Life for Women Workers”.

During the Inaugural session Honorable Defense Minister Bidya Bhandari emphasized in Unity to enhance the skill and capacity of women for Equal Right. Honorable Defense Minister made appeal to conduct campaign throughout this year on Gender Equality.

Similarly, Chairperson of CA committee on Fundamental rights and Directive principles of the State  Binda Pandey highlighted  the Women Issues included in draft Constitution. Chairperson further stated that  in Constituent  Assembly, which is the achievement of Peoples Movement, there is one third Women participation. Workers should be played vital role to incorporate the workers issues in Constitution including Trade Union Right, Social Security and Right to Strike.

On behalf of Joint Trade Union Coordination Centre (JTUCC) Laxman Basnet,President of NTUC-I highlighted the labour agenda submitted for the draft constitution in connection with the development of the new constitution on behalf JTUCC.

The Conference has decided to focus following issues including membership expansion and organizing new areas of employment.
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Membership Expansion and Mobilization:
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•Organise all women workers of Formal and Informal sectors in Trade Union.

•Conduct the Campaign for Membership distribution and Expansion.

•Increase Women’s participation in the campaign on Single Union and Social Protection.

•Campaign to secure 33% Women participation in all structure of GEFONT and its affiliate.

Education Campaign

•Conduct the Orientation programs on basic Trade Union Rights and Labor Law

•Conduct the Program on Gender Equality and Women Leadership

•Conduct the Orientation on Trade Union Management

•Orientation Program on Women Health

•Conducted Massive awareness program.

•Conduct campaign Women’s reproductive issues as of Union.

Day Celebration

•International women workers day

•International Human Rights Day

Campaign

•Conduct campaign to make the Pro-Worker constitution on time.

•Campaign to secure 33% Women participation in all sectors of state and labor sector.

•Campaign to bring Regulations/ by laws  of the Domestic Violence Act.
•Conduct campaign for the elimination of all kinds of violence.

The Conference has also adopted various important resolutions of public concern issues including GEFONT’s Women Policy.

Hundreds of Youth workers, close to 370 conference delegates across the country and guests from various trade union including Erik Nielson from LO-FTF Council, Sharan K.C. from Phinland Trade Union Solidarity Centre participated in inaugural session which was held at National Cultural Corporation, Jamal.

Source: http://www.gefont.org/activity_detail.php?flag=3&id=592