The motion was passed unanimously. Delegates rejected the far right's lies about 'protecting' women and girls when they seek to exploit violence against women to fuel division. They also deplored far right weaponisation of slogans about protection of women and children to incite division and hate on anti-immigration protests throughout the UK.
As part of her address to conference delegates in Bournemouth, Joanne Thomas – Usdaw general secretary said: “The far right has never shown any interest in campaigning to end violence against women and girls, but has now hijacked and weaponised this issue to promote their violently racist and anti-migrant agendas. We stand shoulder to shoulder in solidarity with all women, with all girls, wherever they are, whatever their circumstances.
“We welcome the Government's violence against women and girls strategy, an important milestone in our mission to build a world where women and girls are free from violence and abuse. The Labour Government must show leadership in responding to the weaponisation of gender-based violence. They must not allow the debate to be distorted by misinformation. All women and girls deserve to live lives free from violence and abuse.”
Notes for editors:
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is one of the fastest growing unions in the TUC and the UK's fifth biggest with around 370,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also represents many workers in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemical industry and other trades www.usdaw.org.uk
For Usdaw press releases visit: www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Bluesky @usdawunion.bsky.social and Twitter/X @UsdawUnion