Action Plans for UNI South Asia Women

Veröffentlicht: 16 Mai 2013
Google translate: 

Participants of the UNI South Asia Women Empowerment course have just adopted a set of Action Plans to organize more women, especially young women, eradicate gender-based violence and promote networking to exchange good practices and information.



Through the thematic group discussions, they came up with various ideas and developed concrete actions to achieve these goals.



In order to increase participation of women in unions, the group found that it is important for women to be empowered with the right skills and information, and for women to receive the support from male leaders.



The group identified impediments to women's participation to be male-dominated union meetings and union activities that are irrelevant to women when they are developed by and from a male’s perspective only. In addition, women with multiple roles are too busy to take on union office-bearers, and even if they are interested, many of them are not ready to take leadership roles without training and education.



The course participants suggest that holding more empowerment courses for women and reeling in the support from male leaders will ensure that women are clear of their working rights, and that the sharing of responsibilities and mutual respect are honoured at home, in trade unions and in society.



The panel discussion on violence against women and girls was closely linked to the empowerment of women and the role of trade unions.



The panelists said that deep-rooted gender inequality, tight-lipped victims, and the inadequate implementation of laws against violence can be turned around with the support of trade unions.



Participants agreed that trade unions are able to provide more education and professional training to enhance women's employability so that they can be financially independent.



Participants also suggested that trade unions can develop a mechanism to help victims of violence by sending a discipline / harassment committee represented by union representatives to deal with the aggressors. Having women union officers to join the committee would be especially useful and appropriate. The involvement of trade unions and the community may trigger speedier response from the police.



For the Action Plans and country reports, please refer to the Related Files tab.