Celebrating International Women’s Day 2024

The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day is ‘inspire inclusion’. I am proud to work with inspirational women who are breaking ground in industries that have been traditionally male dominated such as energy, science and aviation.

Prospect members are paving the way for the next generation and as a union we will continue to strive for true gender equality in the workplace.

Prospect Women’s Network

In 2023, we launched Prospect Women’s Network to bring together women members from across our sectors to campaign on the issues affecting us at work, and to encourage more women to get active in our union.

Our launch event was held at New Prospect House in April. Since then, we have hosted a summer reception and a series of webinars on the gender pay gap, mental health and flexible working.

Launch of the Prospect Women’s Network launch event at New Prospect House

It’s been brilliant meeting women from across our diverse sectors, to hear your stories and to collaborate on campaigning work that will benefit us all.

We want to hear about what matters to you, so please get in touch with [email protected] if you have any ideas of campaigns that you would like to see the network run.

Look out for more events and campaigns throughout this year and visit our women’s network hub to access digital assets and resources to promote the network in your branches.

TUC women’s conference

Prospect delegation at this year’s TUC Women’s Conference

It was great to attend this year’s TUC women’s conference with a strong Prospect delegation. Led by President Ele Wade, the conference heard from Usha Bhangu (BT Business) on the gender pay and pensions gap; Caroline Jones (Cavendish Nuclear) on women in STEM; Suzanna Bryant (National Grid) on flexible working; and Kate Hawley (Forestry Commission) on women’s PPE. Liz Hardwick (North West Freelance), Kat Swan (Cavendish Nuclear), G Cuthill (Scotland’s Rural College) and Jane Lancastle (Prospect Assistant Secretary) joined the delegation. I also contributed to a panel debate on tackling and preventing sexual harassment.

Other speakers included TUC President Matt Wrack, Anneliese Dodds – Shadow Women and Equalities Minister, and Paul Nowak, TUC general Secretary. The conference also included a panel debate on the escalating violence in Gaza.