Equality and Gender Mainstreaming at the ILO Programme for Workers’ Activities

Session Objectives –To consider the ILO approach towards gender equality and mainstreaming –Identify constraints and apply tools, strategies

Session Content –Intro: ILO strategic objectives International Instruments –IlO agenda and actions Decent Work Mainstreaming gender –Gender and globalization

ILO Strategic Objectives –Promote and realize standards and fundamental principles and rights at work –Create greater opportunities for women and men to secure decent employment and income –Enhance the coverage and effectiveness of social protection for all –Strengthen tripartism and social dialogue

ILO International Instruments –C100, Equal Remuneration –C111, Discrimination in Employment and Occupation –C156, Workers with Family Responsibilities –C103 Maternity Protection

ILO Agenda and Actions Decent Work: The primary goal of the ILO today is to promote opportunities for all women and men to obtain decent and productive work, in conditions of freedom, equity, security and human dignity

DECENT WORK? “ Economic growth will automatically benefit all, women and men” ……… do you agree?

DECENT WORK The social face of globalization: quantity, quality, equality! all workers (w/m) and economic sectors (formal, informal, less protected) dynamic, participatory: a common platform of core rights different aspects of the world of work are all connected

DECENT WORK AGENDA International labour standards - rights at work Social protection OSH Social Dialogue Employment: quantity and quality Gender Development Enterprise

To ensure a fair selection, you all get the same test. You must all climb that tree

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 Women and men in the world of work equally contribute and have equal rights (de jure) but they still do not enjoy benefits and rights (de facto)

Gender Mainstreaming Giving equal opportunities and rights to men and women Transforming systemic inequalities in legislation, policies, programmes, etc into equal and jsut structures.

Division of labour who does what, where and when? Constraints & opportunities – national policies… Access and control over resources and services Needs Institutional capacity Gender analysis International labour standards SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY HOW?

Gender Mainstreaming –What, Why and How? –Tools: Mainstream vs specific focus on gender gender analysis, gender audit, gender budget –Is GM done in your organization?

Gender and Globalization –A good thing? (digital revolution, EPZ, higher education levels) –But? Women are often in lower skilled jobs –Traditional disparities is widening

Gender Equality... –human rights –economic efficiency with sustainable development –Decent work and equal opportunities