Session organized by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC)Webcast of the session:Meeting linkMeeting number: 846 511 945
Password: nSk4CUJH
The International Trade Union Confederation will host a roundtable discussion exploring effective measures to combat violence and harassment in the world of work. According to the WHO, at least 35 per cent of women over the age of 15 have experienced sexual or physical violence. Despite its systematic and widespread nature, gender-based violence remains one of the most tolerated violations of human rights in the workplace. This is a threat to the dignity, security, health and well-being of everyone. It has an impact not only on workers and businesses, but also on their families, communities, economies and society as a whole. Whilst no sector or occupation is immune from gender-based violence, certain sectors and occupations face higher exposure and risks.
The objective of the session is to further the gender dimension of the UN Guiding Principles by discussing initiatives in relation to violence and harassment. The discussion will take place in light of the recent adoption of ILO Convention No. 190 on Violence and Harassment in the World of Work as well as the gender framework developed by the Working Group. ILO Convention No. 190 provides for a framework for governments, business and workers’ representatives to take action against violence and harassment that can feed into the obligations and responsibilities under each of the three pillars of the UNGPs. The multi-stakeholder roundtable will delve into how this instrument can help identify practical steps to implement the UNGPs with a specific gender-lens, in particular when it comes to violence and harassment. Moreover, the discussion will aim to provide examples of successful stakeholder collaboration.
The discussion will tackle these questions:
- How do adverse impacts of businesses on gender-based violence and harassment in the world of work manifest themselves and what does this mean for rights-holders and society?
- What is ILO Convention No.190 about and how can it help governments, businesses and other stakeholders to better understand their responsibilities to combat violence and harassment in the world of work?
- How do successful initiatives that have been taken look like? What are the main obstacles to effect change?
