20 Nov, 2018
Global trades union seek strong measures to protect women against work-related violence, harassment
Brussels, 20 November 2018 (ITUC OnLine): The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) are calling on governments and employers to stop playing games with working women’s lives and back a strong and inclusive international labour standard on violence and harassment in the world of work.
The call comes on the UN’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, which takes place on 25 November every year.
“We know that some EU governments are looking to water down text that was agreed this year” said Montserrat Mir, Confederal Secretary of the ETUC. “We hope they will change course. With support from Governments, violence against women in the world of work, can be wiped out by employers, unions and union members.
“An ILO Convention could be put into EU and national law and require all workplaces to have procedures for dealing with violence and harassment, give the victims clearly stated rights and put in place sanctions against perpetrators.”
“Violence and harassment costs lives and livelihoods. It affects millions of women and their families” said Sharan Burrow, General Secretary of the ITUC. “Next year, the ILO has the opportunity to take a huge step towards a world of work free from violence and harassment. We are calling on governments and employers to join us in aiming high”.
The ETUC supports the International Trade Union Confederation which is campaigning for an ILO Convention to stop gender-based violence in the world of work to be adopted next year – during the centenary year of the ILO.
Asia-Pacific Commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls
23 November 2018, United Nations Conference Centre, Bangkok
Bangkok – The UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific is to hold an important event to launch the annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (25 November – 10 December), commemorated by the United Nations under the umbrella of the Secretary-General’s campaign UNiTE to End Violence against Women.
This year’s theme is “#HearMeToo: End Violence against Women and Girls”, reflecting on the unprecedented global and regional mobilization behind #MeToo and other movements that are giving voice to a long-suppressed crisis, emphasizing our support to escalating protests against sexual harassment and assault.
The regional commemoration will include E.Quality Talks where Thai activists and survivors of violence will deliver their powerful and personal stories with a focus on how all of us can address and work to eliminate violence against women and girls.
The companion exhibition, #DontTellMeHowToDress, will also be held at the UN Conference Centre, helping deliver a strong message by displaying the clothes that survivors and victims wore when they were assaulted.
When: Friday, 23 November 2018, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Who:
Ms. Cindy Bishop, Social activist, founder of #DontTellMeHowToDress, actress
Ms. Busayapa Srisompong, Pro-bono lawyer for survivors of violence, founder of SHero
Ms. Wipaphan Wongsawang, Artist, social activist, founder of ThaiConsent
Chitsanupong Nithiwana, LGBTIQ activist
Ms. Watcharapon Kukaewkasem, EVAW activist from Akha ethnic community, migrant women’s rights advocate, social worker
Ms. Kamolros Wonguthum, Feminist artist
Ms. Melissa Alvarado, Ending Violence against Women Specialist/UNiTE Programme Manager, UN Women Asia-Pacific Regional Office
Ms. Ingrid Fitzgerald, Regional Gender and Human Rights Advisor, UNFPA Asia-Pacific Regional Office
Dress code: Wear orange!
For further info, contact: Ms. Aijamal Duishebaeva, Advocacy and Campaign Coordinator, UN Women, T: (66) 2 288 2387 / E: aijamal.duishebaeva@unwomen.org
Ms. Kavita Sukanandan, Public Information Officer, Strategic Communications and Advocacy Section, ESCAP, T: (66) 2 288 1869 / E: sukanandan@un.org
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