A902569 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? Education Ethnicity Religion, beliefs Gender Health condition Age Socio economic status

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: Coverage: who is protected? Benefits: type & amount; conditions for entitlement Gender equality: taking into account that life conditions are different Financing: source of funds 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)

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

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