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Gender equality

“Women hold up half the sky – get used to it.” That message, painted on a sign at a demonstration, tells only half the story. In many ways, women do more than their share: caring for the next generation and elderly parents, household duties, and contributing economically. Women are more than equal in the responsibilities they assume. This must be matched with political, economic and social equality.

STOP Gender-based violence at work!

10 June 2019

We have entered a decisive period in time: In one month’s time, at the ILO Conference on 10-21 June 2019, the second discussion and last round of tripartite negotiations will take place on the ILO instruments with a view to adopting an ILO Convention and Recommendation.

Global Unions' statement on UNCSW63

25 April 2019

Statement by Global Unions following the 63rd UN Commission on the Status of Women reaffirms that a human rights-based approach is critical for achieving gender equality.

Missing the mark on gender equality

25 April 2019

Governments don’t do enough to ensure womxn’s* rights to social protection and public services. A joint response from trade unions, and feminist, womxn’s rights and social justice organisations to the CSW63 Agreed Conclusions.

Handbook: Addressing violence and harassment against women in the world of work

21 March 2019

All women and men have the right to live and work free from violence and harassment. However, while this is generally accepted, violence and harassment remains pervasive throughout the world of work. It affects all jobs, sectors and occupations. It has serious consequences for workers, their families and communities, as well as for enterprises’ reputations and productivity.

Swaziland union demand Equal Pay and Equal Opportunities for women

12 March 2019

In honour of International Women’s Day on 8 March, 50 members from various public sector trade unions and supporting civil society organisations marched through the streets of Manzini. PSI Global Women’s Organising Committee chair, Irene Khumalo, was in attendance.

There Can Be No Gender Equality Without Quality Public Services

11 March 2019

In an Op-ed published around the world, Rosa Pavanelli, PSI General Secretary, writes about gender responsive quality public services and how women and girls are also the most impacted when countries offer poor basic facilities. Women´s access to social protection, gender-responsive quality public services and infrastructure is a priority of the international community and the main theme of UNCSW63, in which PSI is participating as part of the global union delegation.

A Quantum Leap for Gender Equality: For a Better Future of Work for All

11 March 2019

This new ILO report highlights key gender gaps and obstacles to decent work for women.

STOP Gender-based violence at work!

10 June 2019

We have entered a decisive period in time: In one month’s time, at the ILO Conference on 10-21 June 2019, the second discussion and last round of tripartite negotiations will take place on the ILO instruments with a view to adopting an ILO Convention and Recommendation.

EQUAL PAY – WAGE JUSTICE

08 March 2018

On March 8, PSI stands with women around the world demanding an end to gender-based discrimination at work and calling for the transformation of the division of labour.

Inspiring campaigning! #TaxJustice for Women's Rights Global Days of Action

27 March 2017

The final week of the #TaxJustice for Women's Rights Global Days of Action has been extremely busy. These have been truly global days of action, as you will see from the photos, events and actions from around the world.

8th of March: Transforming the world of work for equal pay

06 March 2016
poster no difference at work

Public Services International (PSI) promotes the work of women trade unionists and stands united with all of our sisters who deliver vital public services. From the 8th of March to Friday the 25th, PSI joins its members around the world in celebrating women and their achievements.

ILO Standard on Gender Based Violence

10 October 2014

The November 2014 session of the ILO Governing Body will again discuss a proposal to include a standard setting item on “violence against women and men in the world of work” on the agenda of a future International Labour Conference. This item was last discussed at the March 2014 Governing Body and whilst there was strong support from some governments, the proposal was not supported by the employers. The Worker’s Group has consistently supported the proposal as a first priority.

Racism? Not for us!

22 March 2014

Speak out and take a stand against racism and xenophobia! On the eve of the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, 21 March 2014, Rosa Pavanelli, General Secretary of the global union federation Public Services International affirms that “our commitment to fight racism and all forms of discrimination is guided by respect for human rights and basic union principles: social justice, equality, collective action and collective responsibility”.

Take action: International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women - 25 November 2013

21 November 2013
PSI violence against women poster

PSI is calling on all its affiliate members, men and women, to make a pledge to end violence against women and girls, at each of their workplaces around the globe.
Violence against women is an age-old problem – it is time to end it now.

Handbook: Addressing violence and harassment against women in the world of work

21 March 2019

All women and men have the right to live and work free from violence and harassment. However, while this is generally accepted, violence and harassment remains pervasive throughout the world of work. It affects all jobs, sectors and occupations. It has serious consequences for workers, their families and communities, as well as for enterprises’ reputations and productivity.

A Quantum Leap for Gender Equality: For a Better Future of Work for All

11 March 2019

This new ILO report highlights key gender gaps and obstacles to decent work for women.

8 March - Women’s struggles need to be more bold and radical than ever

07 March 2019

Women’s Day is not a moment to celebrate the feminine. It is a day for political upheaval. Only by placing women’s struggles at the heart of labour action can we achieve the meaningful progress which generations of women have fought for. Read the PSI statement here.

Advancing Women's Human Rights through Gender Responsive Public Services

12 December 2018

This Expert paper by PSI proposes that the UNCSW adopt the framework of Gender Responsive Quality Public Services (GRQPS) and in doing so address the primary barriers to the delivery of GRQPS and the enablers of GRQPS and women’s human rights, including labour rights of those workers who are strategic in front line-public services.

Campaign Toolkit: Paid Domestic Violence Leave

27 November 2018

PSI developed this toolkit to support affiliates and allies in campaigning for a broad and ambitious ILO Convention and Recommendation on “Ending violence and harassment in the world of work” and paid domestic violence leave for all workers.

Women's rights beyond the business case: ensuring corporate accountability

01 September 2018

Together with a wide range of organisations under the umbrella of the Feminists for a Binding Treaty coalition, PSI has participated in the production of this briefing that highlights the importance of a binding gender-just international accountability framework for Transnational Corporations (TNCs).

PSI General Secretary’s speech at PSI JC’s 30th anniversary

09 July 2018

PSI General Secretary, Rosa Pavanelli, gave a speech at PSI Japan Council's (PSI-JC) 30th anniversary which took place in Tokyo on 22 June 2018. This was part of a three-day visit, invited by PSI-JC, the National Coordinating Committee of PSI affiliates in Japan.

63rd Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (New York)

23 October 2018

The 63rd session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW63) will take place at the UN Headquarters, in New York, from 11th to 22nd March 2019.

Demonstrating commitment and leadership on equal pay

26 September 2018

PSI is participating in an Equal Pay International Coalition (EPIC) Pledging Event. The main objective of the event is to build a consortium of committed partners to accelerate the pace in closing the gender pay gap and achieving equal pay, in line with target 8.5 of the SDGs.

Global conference of the Platform for Collaboration on Tax: “Taxation and the Sustainable Development Goals”

15 February 2018
Photo: Chris Potter - Creative Commons

As part of its global campaign for tax justice, PSI is co-hosting a side-event on 16 February at the First Global Conference of the Platform for Collaboration on Tax. The side event will focus on The role of tax policy in reducing intersecting inequalities and achieving the SDGs.

The voice of women workers at the UN (UNCSW62)

25 January 2018

Union women from around the world are preparing to attend the 62nd session of the Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW62), taking place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from 12-23 March 2018.

Accelerating Women’s Economic Empowerment to Achieve the 2030 Agenda

17 July 2017

PSI General Secretary, Rosa Pavanelli, will be speaking on 17 July at the UNSG’s High-Level Panel (HLP) on Women’s Economic Empowerment. The HLP is a side event at the High Level Political Forum (HLPF), currently taking place in New York.

Policy Coherence and Financing for Sustainable Development With Equality

13 July 2017

Side-event during the 2017 High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. Jointly organized by Civil Society Financing for Development Group including the Women’s Working Group on Financing for Development, Femnet, Forum for Women and Democracy, Womankind Worldwide.

Video: We won't wait another 20 years

08 October 2015

Naomi Dedei Otoo from the Ghana Public Utility Workers' Union of TUC and Chair of PSI Africa Women's Committee on the challenges facing women in Africa and Arab countries.

Video: SATSE, Senegal – gender equality and young workers

01 June 2015

In this interview, Fatou Diouf, Public Utilities Syndicat Autonome des Travailleurs de la Sénégalaise des Eaux (SATSE), talks about gender equality and young workers.

Video: PSAC - defending sick leave rights and fighting privatisation

29 May 2015

Morna Ballantyne, Public Service Alliance of Canada explains that the PSAC has launched an important campaign in defence of the sick leave provisions enshrined in their collective bargaining agreement.

Video: Gender issues in Swaziland

29 May 2015

Representatives of PSI affiliates met in Geneva on 25-26 May 2015 for the PSI World Women’s Committee. In this interview, Irene Khumalo from Swaziland Democratic Nurses Union (SDNU) talks about gender issues including violence against women in Swaziland.

Video: Rosa Pavanelli at the UN High-Level session on advancing gender equality

09 March 2015

Rosa Pavanelli, PSI General Secretary, addresses the UN High-level panel session on advancing gender equality in New York, 6 March 2015.

Video: Hero Dad (STTK - Finland)

27 May 2014

A video by the Finnish Confederation of Salaried Employees STTK which encourages young fathers to use their right for longer paternity leave.

Video: Global Labor Unions Step Up the Fight for Women's Empowerment

21 March 2014

To achieve gender equality and empower women around the world, leaders are increasingly looking to history's pioneers of progress and social inclusion: Labor Unions.