The 2nd World Conference officially opened at 10am by the Prime Minister of Senegal, Mrs. Aminata Toure on 19th November 2013.
On behalf of the Senegalese government, the Prime Minister expressed appreciation for the honor for Senegal to host the Women’s Conference. She pledged the commitment to fast track the ratification of ILO conventions 183 on Maternity Protection and convention 189 on domestic workers.

The keynote speakers during the opening ceremony echoed the various ways through which women have forged on to attain a strong social movement as well as development in most countries. ’Without women, there is no development’, Rabiatou Diallo, the honorary chair of the women’s assembly reiterated. In her view, real battles in the trade union movement on representation, participation, training etc... have been waged by women to contribute to a strong labor movement.

The President of ITUC-Africa, Mody Guiro welcomed all to the land of hospitality, Senegal, and also touched on the various ways through which women have made supreme sacrifices in the labour movement and in Senegal as a whole.

The chairperson of the ITUC women’s committee Diana Holland in her opening remark, emphasised the fact that women cannot be complacent, there is thus the need to do more. ’We do not need to moan, we need to organise.’

’This world needs us !’ were the simple words of Sharan Burrow, General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation. She extended special thanks on behalf of ITUC to its affiliates in Senegal who worked tirelessly towards the success of the meeting and wished the women a good assembly.

The three day conference scheduled for 19 - 21 November is bringing together about 300 women trade union delegates from 62 organisations. The conference will examine trade union actions to improve women’s job security and conditions and to organise more women into the labour movement.