The Antigua and Barbuda Workers' Union (ABWU) will host its third annual Women's Conference later this month, turning the spotlight on the mental and emotional burdens that disproportionately affect women both in the workplace and at home.
According to Antigua.news, the conference is scheduled for Wednesday, July 29, 2026, and will be held under the theme "Women's Empowerment & Mental Health: Mental Load, Burnout & Invisible Labour." The event will bring together women from a wide range of professions for a day of discussion, education and empowerment.
The programme centres on the mental and emotional pressures women face as they simultaneously manage careers, caregiving responsibilities and household duties — roles that often go unrecognised yet carry a significant toll on overall wellbeing.
ABWU Training Coordinator and Co-Chair of the Women's Council, Hazel Luke, said this year's conference is designed to help participants identify the specific challenges weighing on them while building a sense of solidarity and mutual support.
"Participants will be able to identify the areas that are impacting them individually, whether burnout, mental load or invisible labour," Luke said.
She stressed that the event goes beyond acknowledging these challenges, aiming to encourage women to actively develop support systems that unite rather than divide them.
"We will also explore how we as women can create support systems, so that the challenges we face individually do not divide us, but rather bring us together in solidarity and action," she added.
Luke said the conference will also advance the union's ongoing push to embed mental health protections into collective bargaining agreements. She noted that the effort builds on gains made following last year's conference, which resulted in the introduction of labour agreement provisions addressing menstruation, maternity and menopause.
This year's programme will include presentations on women's networking, an interactive panel discussion and practical sessions equipping participants with tools and strategies to manage stress, prevent burnout and prioritise their mental wellbeing.
While attendance will primarily comprise invited participants from workplaces across Antigua and Barbuda, the ABWU emphasised that the issues under discussion resonate far beyond any single workplace. To broaden the conference's reach, the union plans to share key takeaways, expert advice and educational resources across its social media platforms before, during and after the event.
The ABWU reaffirmed its commitment to championing the rights and wellbeing of workers, stating that investing in women's mental health is fundamental to building healthier workplaces, stronger families and a more resilient nation.
