Sharon DeSousa – The first racially visible woman elected as President of the Public Service Alliance of Canada, was an obvious choice for us. She has a long, active involvement in the union starting as a young worker and finally reaching the top.
You have a long career of union activism – what was the reason for your involvement?
As a young worker, I faced significant injustices in the workplace. I didn’t see myself reflected in the union, which motivated me to step out of my comfort zone and get involved. I aimed to be part of the largest bargaining team as a young worker, and I did.
Bargaining was an eye-opening experience for me. It highlighted the immense power our members have when we mobilize together. I also realized the critical importance of having diverse voices at the bargaining table.
Can you share a personal or professional achievement that you are particularly proud of as a woman? How has this shaped your journey?
One of the professional achievements I am most proud of is leading the work of the Gender Equity Task Force. The Task Force was tasked with examining equity representation within PSAC and developing proposals to increase women’s participation throughout PSAC and in all areas of union activity.
For months, we consulted with women across the country. They shared their experiences, helped us identify barriers to women’s participation in our union, and contributed to finding solutions to address these obstacles.
The Task Force produced a comprehensive report with 13 recommendations, all of which were adopted by the National Board of Directors. These recommendations include the creation of a Mentorship Program, the establishment of a women’s network, and the implementation of an Intersectional Gender Analysis in all PSAC work.
While some work is still underway, I am very proud of the progress made so far and the commitment from everyone, including members, activists, staff and elected officers, to achieve it.
What obstacles/challenges did you face as a Racially Visible Woman and how have you navigated these obstacles?
As a racially visible woman, one of the significant challenges I faced was getting the same amount of recognition as my male counterparts. To address this, I had to be creative in how I reported my activities. For example, I highlighted my media engagements in my reports as REVP of Ontario, ensuring my contributions were visible and acknowledged.
Another barrier was the lack of access to the same amount of information and historical connections. This meant I needed to build strong alliances and work hard to establish my network. I had to think outside the box and put myself out there to overcome these obstacles.
Through perseverance and strategic networking, I was able to navigate these challenges and make meaningful contributions to our union.
Who are the women who have inspired you throughout your life, and what lessons have you learned from them?
My grandmother is one of the main women who has inspired me. She was fierce and independent at a time when many women did not have many rights. Born in 1917 in India, she lived her life doing what she loved, which was helping others. She continued to work even after marrying and having children.
Despite all the struggles she faced, she always had a smile on her face and persevered. Her resilience and dedication taught me the importance of staying true to oneself and helping others, no matter the circumstances.
In what ways do you actively support and uplift other women in the labour movement?
I actively support and uplift other women in the labour movement by creating safe spaces for them to have conversations and share their thoughts and struggles, especially during difficult times.
In decision-making processes, I ensure that women with intersectional identities are present around the table. This inclusion is crucial for diverse perspectives and equitable representation.
What changes would you like to see in society to create a more equitable environment for women, and how do you envision contributing to that change?
First, we need to recognize the intersectional identities and the nuances and challenges that come with them. For example, a woman with disabilities has a very different life experience than I do. We need to acknowledge that women are not a homogenous group; we all face different challenges, and the solutions won’t be the same for everyone.
We need to increase education on these issues, including how men are entering the debate, as we see them do for example in the US on reproductive rights and how the state exerts control. Access to healthcare is another critical area, as highlighted by the disparities in vaccine access during the pandemic.
I envision contributing to this change by advocating for inclusive policies and creating platforms for diverse voices to be heard. By fostering understanding and promoting equitable solutions, we can work towards a more just society for all women.
How do you think individuals and organizations can better support women’s rights and gender equality?
As strong union activists, our job is to fight for equity. We must never forget that the fight for women’s rights is far from over, and it’s our duty to demand justice for all.
We can be proud to be leaders on important issues like pay equity and access to affordable and accessible childcare. We can push employers to do better by strengthening collective agreements with better working conditions, improved work/life balance, and full respect for women’s rights.
Without a doubt, one of the best ways to eliminate inequities is to get more women where they belong: at the bargaining table and in their union. This is essential to win systemic change that will benefit all women. This is how we build a solid feminist union movement and become trailblazers not only for the members we represent but for all women in our communities. To achieve this, we need to implement measures to make the bargaining process more inclusive.
Respectfully submitted by,
UVAE Human Rights Committee
