International Woman’s Month

international womans day balance for better

This year marks the centenary of the Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act in Britain, which opened all ‘civil professions or vocations’, including the civil service and legal profession, to women. The first women civil servants took up post some 50 years earlier but were restricted to specific roles, predominately in telegraphy. Whilst there has been positive gains in women’s equality, there is still much to do.

Dear Colleague

Whilst there has been positive gains in women’s equality, there is still much to do.

Our theme for Women’s History Month is PCS Women – Strong Past, Stronger Future.

We will celebrate our achievements for members and look at progressing our current campaigns.

The National Women’s Forum is looking for all branches to organise events throughout the month of March highlighting issues affecting the majority of our members and putting pay at the centre of our campaigning.

International Women’s Day on 8 March will be celebrated as part of our month of women’s history. The world is still very unequal as we acknowledge the multiple discrimination and disadvantage women face. IWD celebrates the social, political and economic achievements of women while focusing attention on areas requiring further action.

What you can do:

Vote in the PCS pay ballot, encourage your colleagues to vote
Have a lunchtime event in your office or a protest in a prominent place in your town or city and post photos on social media. Be visible.
Arrange for a collection of toiletries or sanitary products for a local women’s charity
Publicise PCS regional networks for women, black, disabled, LGBT and young members. Details are available from your local PCS regional office.

Check out the PCS website to help promote Women’s History Month on sexual harassment, period dignity, menopause in the workplace, Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) https://www.pcs.org.uk/equality/guidance-and-resources/international-womens-day-iwd-2017

So make March a celebration of our achievements and a marker for what we still want to achieve.

PCS Women, strong past, stronger future, making a difference!

Zita Holbourne

PCS National Vice President, Chair of the National Women’s Forum

Phyllis Opoku-Gyimah

Head of Equality & Learning

Attached Documents

BB/12/19 Women’s History Month – Sexual Harassment Poster 1

Authored by: Mark Serwotka

PDF | 83Kb