Below is the statement we issued for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on November 25, 2017. While there is greater awareness today than four years ago, violence against women has increased. Unions have taken action, but not enough. More action is needed. Join us on November 25 to speak out, take action and stop violence against women.
Unions Must Take Action – Stop Violence Against Women!
Throughout the Asia-Pacific region, women working in hotels, restaurants, catering and tourism services; in food processing, fisheries, beverage manufacturing, brewery, dairy and meat processing factories; on farms and plantations; and working as domestic workers and home-based workers; face various forms of violence on a daily basis.
This violence includes sexual harassment, sexual assault, physical, psychological and verbal abuse and intimidation, trafficking and forced labour and domestic violence.
This violence occurs in the workplace, during recruitment, training or promotion, when travelling to and from work, and at home.
This violence occurs especially women workers face economic or physical vulnerability at work, including insecure jobs, poverty wages, physical isolation, unsafe work, lack of sanitation facilities and changing rooms, and unsafe public transport or inadequate transport to and from work.
This violence occurs especially when women workers face systematic discrimination in employment, wages and benefits, facilities, training and promotion opportunities.
This violence happens because of men abusing their power and authority at work and in recruitment or promotion, men as co-workers, men as guests or customers, men as spouses or relatives, and all the men who do nothing about it.
This violence happens because governments and employers fail to take action to protect women workers from all forms of violence at work and in the community.
This violence happens because trade unions fail to take action to protect women workers from all forms of violence at work and in the in the community.
This violence violates women workers’ human rights and undermines the human dignity and rights of all workers… all of us.
This violence must stop.
November 25 is designated by the United Nations as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women to bring attention to the widespread, daily violations of women’s human rights as a result of gender-based violence.
On this day there are actions taking place around the world calling for concerted action to stop violence against women in society, in the community, at home and at work.
The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women must also be our day as trade unions. We must add our voice to the calls to end violence against women, and as trade unions we must take comprehensive and far-reaching action to compel governments, employers and our own members to stop all forms of violence against women.
Join us on November 25 to speak out, take action and stop violence against women.
