On Saturday, 8 March, we will celebrate International Women’s Day. This year marks 50 years since the UN declared 1975 as International Women’s Year, and International Women’s Day was celebrated for the first time.
In many countries, gender equality has taken a step backward, and hard-won rights are under threat worldwide. Gender equality has been advanced for generations by women, progressive individuals and trade union activists of all genders. Now is not the time to stop.
As trade unionists, one of our most important tasks is to work for gender equality and fairness in the workplace every day—through collective bargaining, workplace advocacy, and policymaking.
Over the past decade, we have witnessed restrictions on women’s rights across the globe. Transnational movements opposing gender equality have gained momentum, and resistance to women’s rights has intensified. Sexual and reproductive rights, as well as the rights of sexual and gender minorities, have come under serious attack. In many countries, economic cuts have particularly affected those in vulnerable positions, while political decisions have increased the risk of discrimination in the workplace. As the EU enters a new era, gender equality issues risk being overshadowed by efficiency measures and global crises.
Now is not the time to give up. On Saturday, let’s march with our trade unions in support of women’s and girls’ rights, alongside thousands of others around the world. Let’s show together that we will not be silenced!
See also:
- Report Bargaining for Equality here
- Press release from ETUC: Blocking transparency would cost women €4.8 billion here
Happy International Women’s Day!