Why unions must act on violence and harassment against women

According to the World Health Organization 35 per cent of women globally – 818 million women – over the age of 15 have experienced sexual or physical violence at home, in their communities, or in the workplace. Unions need to keep raising awareness that violence against women is real, and it is happening everywhere.

Violence against women is a violation of human rights

According to the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women, “Violence against women” is “any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or private life.” This Declaration recognizes that violence against women violates women’s rights and fundamental freedoms, while the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action recognizes that the elimination of violence against women in public and private life is a human rights obligation.

Violence against women is an obstacle to gender equality at work

Women are less likely to enter the labour market then men. Sexual violence and harassment remains a barrier for women to enter and evolve in the labour market, or to perform certain jobs. At the same time, the continued segregation of women in precarious, low paid and low status jobs and positions, contributes to increase the risks for these women workers.

Trade unions have a fundamental role in preventing and eliminating violence against women in the workplace

The ILO Bureau for Workers’ Activities’ report on violence against men and women in the world of work shows that there is a strong connection between access to decent work, non-discrimination and being protected by a trade union in preventing violence against women and men at work. Unions play a key role in raising awareness about sexual harassment among their members, negotiating policies and agreements that establish procedures for making and processing complaints, as well as preventing sexual harassment.

We need an ILO convention on Gender Based Violence

There is still no law at the international level that sets a baseline for taking action to eradicate violence and harassment, including gender-based violence and harassment, in the world of work. There is a need for a comprehensive ILO Convention, supplemented by a Recommendation, with a strong focus on preventing, addressing and remedying gender-based violence at work.

IndustriAll Europe is calling on all affiliates to mobilise on 8 March and show unions’ determination to achieve gender equality, and say no to violence against women.

Our affiliate, the Women’s Forum of BSPSH Albania, have created a video as part of their campaign to ‘Stop Gender Based Violence in the workplace. Support an ILO convention.’