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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.

End the patriarchy of the state in order to provide public services that change gender relations

28 June 2018

Verónica Montúfar, Gender Equality Officer for Public Services International (PSI), analyses a recent case study (Peru) on the impact of tax evasion and avoidance on public services provided to women and girls 2006-2016 and its contribution to the discussion on gender within this global union federation.

Tax evasion and avoidance hinders efforts to improve the lives of women and girls in Peru, says a PSI report

28 June 2018

A report launched on Public Service Day, 23 June, concludes it would have been possible to double the budget allocated to social services with the amount lost to tax evasion and avoidance in Peru between 2006 and 2016. This would have increased the chances of improving the quality of life and development options for women and girls.

PSI statement on UNCSW62

18 April 2018

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

Tackling gender-based violence in the world of work – experiences in the health sector

16 April 2018

PSI is pleased to present the updated report entitled “Tackling Violence in the Health Sector - A Trade Union Response”, a consolidated research effort first released in 2016. The 2018 updated version of the study integrates the latest achievements of our affiliated unions in the health sector.

International Women's Day 2018: Actions from around the world

26 March 2018

On 8 March, PSI affiliated unions from around the world organised mobilisations, events and activities to celebrate International Women’s day 2018 calling for equal pay and wage justice for all. Here are some of the events that took place worldwide.

“Domestic work to be formalized in Ghana,” Labour Minister announces as world marks International Women’s Day 2018.

12 March 2018

People working in domestic establishments in Ghana will soon be recognized as formal workers. This new regulation is expected to come into force as soon as the Parliament of Ghana considers a bill to regularize the work of domestic workers.

Iceland becomes first country to legalise equal pay

09 March 2018

On 1 January 2018, Iceland fully enacted the world's first equal pay law. Equal pay policies are now mandatory for companies with 25 or more employees and those that cannot show that they provide equal pay will be subject to fines. With this new legislation, Iceland's government has committed to eradicate the gender pay gap by 2022. This is part of the PSI's campaign for International Women’s Day.

What Women Want: CPSU Australia 2013-2014 survey

24 March 2014
What Women Want

PSI affiliate in Australia, Community & Public Sector Union (CPSU), launched, for the eighth year in a row, a survey on “What Women Want” asking women to give a detailed picture of their working lives. This is Australia’s largest survey on working women, with over 11 200 women participating.

Statement: Putting women’s rights to decent work, quality education and quality public services at the heart of the post-2015 Agenda

27 February 2014

Statement submitted to the UNCSW58 by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), Education International (EI) and Public Services International (PSI), and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), civil society organisations with consultative status at the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

Statements to the 8th Session of the General Assembly Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals

20 February 2014

Public Services International participated in the United Nations Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals, which had its eighth and final stock-taking and information-gathering session 3-7 February 2014 (OWG8), in New York.

Resolution 36: Migration and Discrimination

31 January 2014

The 29th World Congress of Public Services International (PSI), meeting in Durban, South Africa, on 27-30 November 2012

Resolution 12: Educating and Mobilizing Workers and the Public in Support of Fair Tax Systems to Fund High-Quality Public Services

30 January 2014

The World Congress of Public Services International (PSI), meeting in Durban, South Africa, on 27-30 November

Communiqué: Public Services International Steering Committee SC-17

25 November 2013
PSI Steering Committee and staff, November 2013

Angered by the continuing attacks on public services and the workers who provide these services, distressed by the rising inequality across the world and the failure of the current economic system to provide jobs, particularly for young people, the Steering Committee reiterated its commitments to the 2013-2017 Programme of Action “Social Justice through Quality Public Services” and endorsed priority actions for 2014.

Work-related violence and its integration into existing surveys

20 November 2013

Statistical measurement of violence at the workplace has been neglected, states a new ILO report presented at the 19th International Conference of Labour Statisticians, held in Geneva, 2-11 October 2013.

International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

25 November 2013

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.

Asia-Pacific Regional Women's Committee

03 April 2013
PSI Asia Pacific WOC members with Rosa Pavanelli

PSI's Asia Pacific Women's Committee members meet in Singapore to determine the priorities for the coming year.

United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW57)

04 March 2013

Union women from around the world are gathering in New York for the United Nations’ 57th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW57), starting on 4th March 2013. Focusing on the elimination and prevention of all forms of violence against women and girls, the trade union delegation to UNCSW57 will call on all member states to take all necessary measures to immediately and without further delay prevent and remedy violence against women and girls.

Rise now! End violence against women

23 November 2012

PSI women speak out to end “violence against women” at the PSI Women’s Caucus, Durban, South Africa on 25 November 2012 International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

For more information: http://congress.world-psi.org/womens-caucus

PSI’s 29th World Congress in Durban, South Africa, 27-30 November 2012

22 November 2012

As part of its World Congress events, PSI is holding a series of pre-congress meetings on key issues.

International Women's Day 2012

08 March 2012
PSI Poster for International Women's Day 2012

On International Women’s Day, 8 March 2012, Public Services International recognises and applauds the work of women trade unionists, who are always at the very heart of our struggle for human and labour rights and equality.

United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW)

03 March 2012
Picture of african woman washing dishes

Union women from around the world are gathering in New York for the United Nations’ 56th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW56), starting on 27th February 2012. Focusing on decent work for rural women, quality public services, social protection and human rights, the trade union delegation to UNCSW56 will call on governments to commit to concrete measures to ensure that women living and working in rural areas enjoy opportunities for economic, social and human development.