region where the issue of sexism, sexual harassment or predatory behaviour has not had an adverse effect on women in trade unions.

Union sisters in one Latin American country have been subject to near daily torment by senior figures, but are so dedicated to their mission to organise marginalised people that they are forced to use ‘the whisper’ network to protect each other.

A sister in one union based in Europe filed a claim against a colleague who consistently made lewd comments to her and finally, much to her deep embarrassment, did so in front of a member. All she could get from her organisation was a letter sent to staff, outlining in general terms that sexual harassment would not be tolerated. She had to continue working with this personuntil she finally left the organisation.

Union staff and leaders across the United States have been subjected to the same level of sexual harassment as outlined in the stories making headlines. But even the worst cases are not made public.

One African female union leader confined in me about how difficult it is for her to organise women into the union and leadership because people in their community consider unions as hunting grounds for men to prey upon female members. The women who have risen to leadership within this union must endure the harassment and the gossip.

Our movement lost another great organiser in the Arab-speaking region, who could no longer struggle against the constant daily sexism within her union, so she left the movement all together.

It saddens me to think