In 2025 Caribbean affiliates have organised the SUBWOC and SUBRAC as online meetings. 

Virtual sub-regional meetings allow for more people to attend and participate than would be the case for in-person meetings where attendees would have to incur travel and accommodation costs.

There is of course great value when members meet each other and can interact in person.

Caribbean affiliates have made the necessary arrangements to gather key members at various leadership levels at union branch offices and headquarters from where those present can then join the Zoom meeting. This year’s sub-regional meetings present a unique opportunity for more members to be involved and to further build solidarity.

About the SUBWOC

PSI’s global and regional women’s committees oversee the implementation of gender mainstreaming to undertake both specific action and ensure gender perspectives are incorporated in all PSI policies, programmes and activities.

The majority of our membership, and the biggest users of public services, are women; PSI will therefore continue to take specific actions to address gender and other forms of discrimination as well as mainstream these issues through all its work.

“Gender equality and equity have been important rallying cries for PSI for several decades. PSI was the first global union to introduce a policy of parity between men and women for political representation purposes.”

The Sub-regional Women’s Advisory Committee (SUBWOC) meets prior to the Sub-regional Advisory Committee (SUBRAC) meeting and comprises women activists and representatives. The chair is Sis Tifonie Powell-Williams,  the Caribbean Women’s Titular.

During the meeting, the committee deliberates on a wide range of issues and in general advises on:

1. ways to promote the full development of the potential of women in trade unions and in their workplaces;

2. activities and campaigns that would compensate for the results of discrimination against women at all organisational levels within unions;

3. ways that affiliates might work to achieve fair and equitable recognition of women’s contributions within unions and in employment;

4. ways to support the work of the wider trade union movement in achieving gender equality and equity.

Women activists in public services unions affiliated to PSI use this opportunity to deliberate and make recommendations on ways to achieve gender equality and equity: in their unions, workplaces and the wider society. Equally important, members examine and articulate their perspectives on a wide range of issues.

The discussions pay particular attention to what needs to be done and the methods used to achieve the results women workers want.

The discussions are strategic, using the realities that affiliates face, to identify ways to promote quality public services and to influence national and regional decision-making.

The meeting seeks to Inform, Educate and Motivate/Inspire committee members.

Registration

Affiliates may register for the SUBWOC here.