International labour organisations' public statement on UNCSW 57 negotiations

Trade union representatives attending the United Nations' 57th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW 57) in New York have issued the following public statement. ITF women transport workers’ coordinator Alison McGarry explained: "We welcome this statement as 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."


International labour organisations' public statement on UNCSW 57 negotiations
We, union representatives of the interests of all women workers around the world, support the earnest efforts of those countries trying to reach consensus that builds on previously agreed international commitments to prevent and eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls.

However, 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. Therefore, this year of all years, we need strong agreed conclusions and a commitment by member states to take concrete action to end violence against women and girls.

Women trade unionists from 27 countries are present at the United Nations’ 57th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW 57) to work constructively with all stakeholders to ensure that our governments meet their responsibility to end violence against women and girls. The world is watching what happens here at the largest-ever UN assembly on ending gender-based violence.

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.

International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC)
Education International (EI)
Public Services International (PSI)
UNI Global Union
Canadian Labour Congress (CLC)
General Italian Confederation of Labour (CGIL)
International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF)

Organizations around the world have co-sponsored this statement. For more information visit the trade union blog here.

Twitter: @unioncsw