The main theme of this year's conference is violence against women, an issue which includes the trafficking of women.  Late last year, the TUC signed up to the End Violence Against Women Coalition along with a number of organsations including Amnesty International, Women's Aid and the Women's National Commission.  The coalition is calling on the government to introduce a national strategy to tackle domestci violence in all its forms.

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said international women's day gives the chance to celebrate the achievements of women in todays society.  "Unions are continuing to campaign for the issues that matter to women; equal pay, decent wages, maternity rights, decent pensions and quality affordable childcare.  "And in recent years we have also focussed our attention on the less visible crime of violence against women.  The issue also featured high on the agenda at UNISON's women's conference at the end of February, which looked particulary at its health implication, noting that "an overwhelming number of women who experience domestic violence suffer from depression".