A Inter-regional Trade Union Training on Social Security Gender and Social Protection Social Protection Programme ITC- ILO July 2010 Presented by G.Forgues

WHAT IS GENDER? SEX  BIOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS GENDER  CONSTRUCTED ROLES AND RELATIONS Social Cultural Traditional Power relations…

WHAT? Ethnicity Socio economic status Health condition Age Religion, beliefs Education Gender

Gender Equality Equality of treatment between women and men

Limited access to social protection for women Large part of social protection still attached to employment conditions Women are behind a large share of unpaid work (family business, caring) Informal economy offers little social protection Social security systems often based on “traditional” family model - woman is dependant on male income earner Different work patterns create social protection differences

Social protection for women: the example of pensions Women can receive old-age pensions up to five years earlier than men, as it is taken into account that they are: - Remunerated at lower level during working career - Interrupting careers because of child bearing & rearing - Responsible for large parts of household chores

Social protection for women: the example of pensions However, modified pension scheme provisions are not good remedies for labour market inequities: - Lower retirement age is not an advantage for women as it shortens their careers - Added to lower remuneration, it results in smaller pensions for women

Implementing a social security benefit Decisions must be made on: 1) Coverage: who is protected? 2) Benefits: type & amount; conditions for entitlement 3) Gender equality: taking into account that life conditions are different 4) Financing: source of funds 5) Management: institutional & administrative

Women-specific benefits: the example of maternity protection Recognize women’s reproductive role and include in Social Health Insurance: - Contraceptives (drugs & devices) - Services in case of abortions (spontaneous & induced) - Ante-natal care & micronutrients - Attended births - Post-natal care & care of newborn

Women-specific benefits: the example of maternity protection Other considerations: - Referral to HIV testing services - Referral for prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV - Income replacement during maternity leave - Transport allocation, if necessary - Promotion of breastfeeding for 6 months - Referral to immunization services - Examination of child devt every six months

Women-specific benefits: the example of maternity protection Impact on: 1) The health of the mother and the child 2) The quality and accessibility of care 3) The enterprise (less absenteeism, higher productivity)

SOCIAL INSURANCE UNIVERSAL SOCIAL ASSISTANCE NATIONAL PROVIDENT FUND Benefits prescribed in law Based on contribution history from employment Individual employer provision Financed by contributions Individual accounts Contributions prescribed in law Based on employment Pooling of risks and finances Financed by contributions Financed directly by employer Redistributive Financed from taxation Financed from taxation Redistributive Flat-rate benefits Discretionary benefits Based on residence Based on need EMPLOYER LIABILITY METHODS OF SOCIAL PROTECTION PROVISION

Example of schemes: universal schemes National health service Universal old-age pension Child benefits NOTE Women and men have the same rights

Example of schemes: employment- related systems Social insurance Mandatory savings schemes Occupational (company) schemes

Schemes often reflect inequalities in the labour market 1) Considerations regarding coverage - Homeworkers, domestic workers, part-time workers, informal economy 2) Considerations regarding benefit levels - Based on earnings and years of contributions Other considerations No access to SP with short term employment or sub-contracting No carry over from one employer to another with “no contract” status

Different treatment: some causes Model based on single male breadwinner Women’s entitlements based on dependency Separate actuarial calculations for men and women Marital status/family situation

Mandatory retirement savings schemes Amplify inequalities in the labour market (wages, breaks in employment) Administrative costs a greater burden for low income workers No solidarity or redistribution Eventual pension linked to life expectancy

Some measures to promote gender equality Reform of survivor pensions Equal pension age Pension splitting on divorce Pension credits for carers Unisex annuity rates Child benefits/parental leave/childcare services Access to Maternity Protection