TUC Women’s Conference 2026
The NUJ’s motion highlighting the harm caused to women by far right, racist and sexist rhetoric passed at this year’s conference.
Held at Bournemouth International Centre from 4-6 March, the conference focused on tackling misogyny and sexism and how the trade union movement can counter the threat of the far right.
The NUJ delegation was Ann Galpin, Georgina Morris, Natasha Hirst, and Sara Lewis. Natasha Hirst, NUJ Equality Council co-chair, moved the NUJ’s motion - which was composited with other unions' motions - speaking powerfully on the rise of the far right and the weaponisation of women’s and girls’ safety in political discourse.
Hirst emphasised the role of journalists in resisting narratives that scapegoat marginalised communities. She noted that “our members are increasingly at risk from members of the far right when at work, both online and in person.”
The NUJ launched a Journalists’ Safety Tracker in 2024 and the responses reveal a concerning pattern of violent, graphic abuse directed at women journalists with some women reporting “daily rape and death threats” as well as public photos being doctored in a sexually explicit manner and then widely shared online.
Natasha Hirst, TUC Women's Conference 2026
Hirst said:
“This level of abuse risks silencing the voices of diverse women journalists. There has never been a time when plurality of viewpoints in the media has been so crucial.
“It's vital that we all take action to challenge misogyny, racism, ableism and all other forms of discrimination and hatred that create harm and division. As journalists and communications professionals, we bear a responsibility to shape positive and inclusive narratives and to scrutinise and challenge attempts to undermine the rights and safety of women and girls.”
Hirst highlighted the importance of ethical reporting and storytelling in securing justice for survivors of misogyny and abuse. Put into practice, this means reporting accurately, fairly and sensitively and always challenging disinformation.
She ended the speech reminding conference of the hope that trade unionists bring to those who need it: “We can never be complacent about our rights, and our fight for equality and safety must be an intersectional and inclusive one.”
The motion was seconded by the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (USDAW) and delegates from Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP), and Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen (ASLEF) also spoke in support of the motion.
The motion carried unanimously.