Women's Forum

On 9 August 1956, 20 000 women from all parts of South Africa and from all races and ages marched together towards the Union Buildings in Pretoria. These women under leadership of Helen Joseph, Rahima Moosa, Sophy Williams and Lilian Ngoyi, marched in protest against further restrictions on the movements of women as proposed by the Pass Laws. Petitions were delivered to the Prime Minister’s office and in recognition of the success of their march and for their bravery for risking arrest, detention and banning, 9 August was declared National Women’s Day.

National Women’s Day should not only be to commemorate the strength and unity of these women, but should be an opportunity to take stock of the progress women have made in ensuring equity in the workplace and in society as a whole.

There will be no greater accomplishment than to see the motor industry as a sector where women’s work is valued as much as men’s, where women are not isolated into low paying jobs or discriminated against, but should be where they have equal access to good quality jobs, where they do not risk their health or safety or that of their unborn children and where decent working conditions are the norm. And there will be no bigger reward than to say: “We did it!”

It is a mammoth task that lies ahead of us and we do not stand indifferent to the challenges or obstacles that we will be facing. We do, however, believe that in unity and with the co-operation and participation from MISA, our female members and employers, we will all be able to make a difference. As a trade union, MISA is a leader in the strive for a more just and decent society in which our members can control their own destiny.

Martlé Keyter
National Co-ordinator: MISA Women’s Forum
Email: misa.womensforum@ms.org.za

 

Objectives

  1. To raise general awareness and to increase the understanding of gender equality issues in the “world of work”;
  2. To increase women’s economic and financial independence and decision-making;
  3. To address issues relating to pregnancy, balancing work and family life, to promote flexibility in working conditions and enhancing social benefits;
  4. To address issues on access to education and training;
  5. To assist women to live above the expectations of society;
  6. To establish social dialogue between MISA, female members and employers;
  7. To address conditions of employment through collective negotiations;
  8. To assist and train women in non-traditional work roles;
  9. To identify obstacles for women workers to join MISA;
  10. To build alliances with similar organizations.

MISA firmly believes that the power of women are in their diversity and their ability to respond to new challenges.

 

Why Women Need MISA

  • When we act with other women, we are more powerful than acting alone;
  • Through MISA the views of women workers can be addressed collectively with employers;
  • Women (like men) also need the assistance of MISA when treated unfairly by employers. It is not always necessary to create a war and in many instances intervention through social dialogue is sufficient to resolve unfair treatment at the workplace;
  • In belonging to MISA, women are able to provide their valuable input in negotiations for betterpay and working conditions;
  • Through MISA women can identify and put an end to policies and practices in areas such as training and job evaluations, which discriminate against women;
  • MISA can collectively negotiate with employers for improved health and safety conditions at work and maternity
    protection;
  • MISA teaches women about workers’ rights and women’s rights;
  • MISA is also affiliated with other organizations to promote women in the community, on government level and internationally;
  • Being a credible and strong union, MISA can address women’s priority concerns with employers, and to endorse MISA’s credibility, we demonstrate that gender equality is an integral part of MISA’s policies and structures;
    Through MISA women invest in skills, knowledge and lifelong learning. We are the vanguard of basic workers’ rights and carry the obligatory responsibility to adequately protect and promote the interests of women in the workplace.

 

Nominate your 2012 MISA Woman of the Year
Click here for your 2012 MISA Woman of the Year Nomination Form.

 

DOWNLOADS

Click here for our Womens Forum Booklet (First Edition)

Click here for our Children's Rights Booklet (Second Edition)

Click here for our Violence Against Women Booklet (Third Edition)

Click here for our Womens Forum Equality Booklet (Fourth Edition)

Click here for our Cancer Booklet (First Edition)

Click here for our AIDS Booklet (First Edition)