(Relinked from ITF Women)

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The recent Africa’s dockers’ conference signalled women dockers are pushing through
to take on key leadership roles in our movement. Delegates elected three women to the section’s regional committee including key decision-making positions. We spoke to two of them to find out more about their reactions, work and union background.

Veronica Mesatywa, Maritime National Sector Coordinator and ITF Africa Regional Chairperson
Her early life was steeped in the docks and unions, with her father’s union involvement and work in the East London port. Since 1975, Veronica has been actively involved in trade union activities.

Joining Satawu as a local organiser in 1990, Veronica was instrumental in leading change within the union. “I was the first woman organiser to be employed” she says, “I broke that glass ceiling.”

Veronica’s motivation to stand for election to the ITF Africa Regional committee was to change the cultural perception and demonstrate that women can and do lead. She has faced obstacles: some colleagues voiced opposition to her standing for election.

“Women are leaders, not tokens,” she says. “This election is about showing women have great leadership skills.”

Judith Imali Abuka, Clerical Assistant (Stock Controller), Kenya Dock Workers Union
Judith joined her union in 1984. At that time, there were six officials elected, but none of them were women. Judith campaigned for one of the positions to be set aside for women, and her perseverance paid off in 2002.

Nowadays women have been supported and empowered through training activities, such as seminars conducted by ITF and other NGOS. This has really helped, she says.

Judith has seen real change in her union, as women increasingly move into top positions. As women have taken on more responsibility, this has broken down some of the past  barriers with women clearly demonstrating their leadership capabilities are on par with their male colleagues.

“Being a woman in this industry is very interesting; you feel good having the respect, potential and courage when tackling issues of different kind,” she says.

Women can and do face many challenges to progressing through union structures. Judith has succeeded by developing good relationships throughout the union and with the management and colleagues in her company. She has to work hard to make sure her everyday work is done, so that management have no excuse to stop her doing union duties. Although in principle you have the right, she says, they will not necessarily give permission.

Colleagues support her so she can do the important work of union representation. Dock work is a 24-hour occupation, so Judith has to work early in the morning and over lunchtimes. Her commitment to the union members means she also spends three hours in the evening after work on her union duties.

It sounds tough, but Judith appreciates that most of her managers recognise the union’s importance.

“I would advise women who want to join the union, that they are welcome,” she says. “They should be devoted, be courageous and ready to sacrifice work for the union’s good. Women should not be put off from getting involved - those days are gone.”

Dockers assistant secretary, Paula Hamilton says, “These elections clearly show that affiliates have voted for union leaders with the qualities to inspire, significant union experience and the drive to improve the lives of Africa’s dockers. Veronica and Judith’s recent election to regional leadership roles shows a turning point in the long-held perceptions of what makes a dockers leader.”