United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
25 November marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, in many countries also signifying the start of Sixteen Days of Activism ending on 10 December, United Nations' International Human Rights Day. PSI affiliates worldwide take action on this day and during the campaign period.
Violence against women, whether in the workplace, in the home or in the community is a trade union issue.
Sexual harassment and violence in the workplace are common and constant threats to working women’s lives and livelihoods. Violence at work is not merely an episodic, individual problem but a structural, strategic problem rooted in wider social, economic, organisational and cultural factors. Violence at work is detrimental to the working environment and to the quality of services provided.
Women who experience violence suffer a range of physical and psychological health problems, including a heightened risk of contracting HIV/AIDS. Violence can nullify a woman’s ability to take part in economic activity and in public life. Violence against women lowers economic productivity, places an increased burden on public services and hinders social cohesion.
Take action
PSI has previously produced guidance to assist affiliates in their work on this topic, setting out the facts and suggests actions unions might take. Below are some examples of 2010 campaigns. Do not hesitate to alert the PSI to your actions in this field, which may then be included.
Wear a white ribbon today to raise awareness of violence against women
In Australia, PSI affiliate Australian Services Union is a long time supporter of White Ribbon Day: "If we are to move our society forward and prevent violence against women from occurring, we must speak out. The White Ribbon Campaign is unique in that it aims to raise awareness among Australian men and boys about the roles they can play to prevent violence against women. The campaign calls for men across Australia to speak out and take an oath never to commit, excuse or remain silent about violence against women. The campaign culminates on White Ribbon Day (25 November) each year, when men and women across Australia are called to wear a white ribbon or wristband as a visual symbol of their commitment and oath. The White Ribbon Campaign in Australia is led by more than 1000 White Ribbon Ambassadors.
12 days against commodification of women's bodies in Canada
Canadian affiliate SFPQ (Syndicat de la Fonction Publique du Québec) rolls out its campaign against violence against women on 25 November and continues until 6 December. Because this year's campaign closely follows the World Women's March, the union targets two or its specific claims; the militarization and commodification of the body and sexuality of women. These two phenomena are important for the maintenance of conditions, standards and practices that allow violence against women to exist and persist.
Get involved against men's violence against women
Norwegian affiliate Fagforbundet (Norwegian Union of Municipal and General Employees) joins its trade unions confederation LO-Norway calling for a strengthening of the committment against men's violence against women; internationally, at the national as well as the at the local level. Trade unions are encouraged to educate, engage and speak up, particularly on violence in the workplace.
ITUC says NO to violence against women and the discrimination that cultivates it
To mark International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls, the International trade union confederation (ITUC) and its affiliated organisations across the globe are rallying to say NO to this violence and to fight the discrimination underpinning it. "Combating the violence that denies women their fundamental human rights, and the structural gender imbalances reinforcing it, is a priority for the trade union movement," said ITUC General Secretary General Sharan Burrow.
Teacher unions work to prevent violence against women
On 25 November, Education International pledges to accelerate its awareness programmes and union education activities to prevent violence against women.
http://www.world-psi.org/TemplateEn.cfm?Section=violence_against_women&CONTENTID=26655&TEMPLATE=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm
