By Adiza Bawa
The Gender and Youth Desk of the Industrial and Commercial Workers’ Union, ICU is calling on the government to ratify Convention 190 and recommendation 206 of the International standards adopted on gender equality. To the ICU, this will help address the scourge of violence and harassment of women in the world of work, particularly the prevalence of gender-based violence.
The ILO C190 on violence and harassment is an international declaration that was adopted by the global community on June 21, 2019, and sought to eliminate all forms of violence, intimidation and harassment at workplaces and ensure better conditions of service for workers. Convention 190 and Recommendation 206 are the first international legal standards that recognises the right of everyone to a world of work free from violence and harassment, including gender-based violence and harassment. The Convention is also aimed at promoting a general environment of zero tolerance to violence and harassment and to facilitate the prevention of such behaviours and practices.
In an interview with GBC News on the celebration of International Women’s Day, Head of the Gender and Youth Desk of the ICU, Esinam Poku urged women to take up higher positions, and always make themselves relevant. She called on all to press on for women’s inclusivity at workplaces. Madam Poku said, ”while the situation is changing, men continue to outnumber women in leadership positions”. She said the process of achieving gender equality is ”more complicated and requires systematic change in a range of institutions and areas of action”.
“Let us all reflect on the progress we have made as women irrespective of where we find ourselves, while continuing to press on for inclusion at our various workplaces.”
Madam Poku said women’s empowerment is a precondition for a just, sustainable and rights-based economy. Yet, women continue to be disproportionately affected by poverty, discrimination and exploitation.
“Moreover, gender discrimination is responsible for the over-representation of women in insecure and low-wage jobs. At the same time, key decision-making positions remain male-dominated, even in sectors where women outnumber men. These serious gender gaps persist despite efforts by labour Unions especially our own union when as far back as the early 90’s established the Gender and Youth Desk to fight the canker and to press for inclusion.”
She added that “Trade Unions were once a brotherhood of men. While the situation is changing, men continue to outnumber women in terms of both membership and leadership positions.
The increased presence of women in trade union membership and leadership does not automatically lead to substantive change in terms of gender equality. The process of achieving gender equality is more complicated, and requires systemic change in a range of institutions and areas of action.”
Madam Poku said ICU has been successful in addressing gender inequalities by adopting a two-pronged approach: on the one hand, pushing for a general gender equality strategy; on the other, pursuing specific improvements in working conditions and pay for women.