ITUC-Africa rallies stakeholders to deepen campaign for social justice

There is an urgent need for Africa to rescript the conversation surrounding feminism within the region towards creating a more inclusive and equitable society for all, the African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa) has said.

The organisation said its biennial trade unions’ women conference would focus on the proffering solution to myriads of challenges confronting women in the workplace.

As the world struggles to find jobs for unemployed persons, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, ITUC-Africa insisted that reducing joblessness can only happen if women are protected and given equal opportunities in the workplace.

In a policy brief to the conference, the regional body said: “In many parts of the world, women are often in undervalued and low-paid jobs, and lack access to education, training and recruitment. They have limited bargaining and decision-making power and still shoulder responsibility for most unpaid care work.

“Globally, only about half of the world’s women are in the labour force, compared to nearly 80 per cent of men, earning on average 23 per cent less than men, with mothers particularly hard hit. This is why SDG number 8 which is about Decent Work and Economic Growth aims at achieving full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value by 2031”

Another problem confronting the world is violence in the workplace which not only impacts worker relations and productivity but also impedes labour market participation, particularly for women in male-dominated sectors.

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has continued to maintain that violence undermines democratic decision-making and the rule of law, emphasizing the imperative of ensuring safe workplaces as a fundamental human rights issue crucial for gender equality.

The General Secretary of ITUC-Africa, Akhator Odigie said the conference is expected to deepen discussion on issues that are affecting women adversely in the workplace.

“Indeed ITUC-Africa strategic plan 2023-2027 acknowledges unique challenges faced by women union workers across Africa, driving its commitment to address these issues within its gender theme. Aligned with the ITUC-Africa’s strategic priorities, the plan aims to deepen advocacy for gender equality and enhance women’s participation in decision-making processes, aligning with the pursuit of gender justice advocated by trade unions,” he explained.

He disclosed that ITUC-Africa, in recognising the integral role of women in advancing social justice, will use the women’s conference as a platform for amplifying their voices, addressing gender-specific challenges, and advocating for policies that promote gender equality in all spheres of society.

He added: “The conference shall take the unique opportunity to address these issues from a feminist ideological standpoint. Feminism as an ideology is not antithetical to the working-class and gender ideologies. It is rooted in women’s struggles for autonomy and dignity from an exploitative system and for a better system for both males and females in society.

“Both gender advocates and feminists have played a pivotal role in reshaping economic policies to address gender disparities and critique the deficiencies of the global economic system. Workers’ organizations reaffirm their commitment to gender equality in the workplace, emphasising the importance of collective bargaining and social dialogue to address issues such as equal pay, working conditions and violence prevention.”

Odigie stated that at the end of the parley, participants would be able to identify the key types of feminism and its relationship to gender perspectives.

He stressed that the fallouts of the conference will form the fulcrum of a comprehensive regional transformative gender advocacy plan for ITUC-Africa affiliates to engage governments and other stakeholders at the national level as well as regional and continental bodies.