On International Women’s Day on 8 March, women trade unionists from 27 countries at the United Nations' 57th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW 57) pledged to work constructively with all stakeholders to ensure that governments act to end violence against women and girls.
In a statement sponsored by the ITF, the ITUC, Education International, Public Services International, UNI Global Union, the Canadian Labour Congress and the General Italian Confederation of Labour, they said: “We are outraged by the persistent attempts, over the years, by the Holy See and certain member states to derail the democratic process of consensus-building. Violence against women exists in all countries and in all societies, and affects all groups of women and girls. One out of every three girls born today will face some form of violence in her life time. We call on all Member States to reach Agreed Conclusions with no back-tracking on previously made international commitments. Women’s lives depend on what we do here.”
ITF women transport workers’ coordinator Alison McGarry commented: "It's imperative the UNCSW gets the agreement of the member states to stop violence against women and girls. This commitment will ensure positive action programmes are implemented with governments, employers and trade unions to stop domestic and workplace violence."
In a solidarity message to Tumtis union members fighting to form a trade union at DHL Turkey and for DHL workers to have the right to join the trade union of their choice, the ITF Women Transport Workers’ Committee said: “We want to take the opportunity on International Women’s Day to reaffirm our commitment to your campaign and look forward to celebrating with you as the recognised union in DHL Turkey at the next International Women’s Day.”
Unions around the world marked International Women’s Day. In Bangkok, Thailand, around 1,000 workers joined a rally organised by the Women Workers’ Unity Group, the State Enterprises Workers’ Relation Confederation and the Friend of Women Foundation to demand, among other things, ratification of the ILO Convention 183 on maternity protection.
For more about the ITF and International Women's Day please see here and here.
