Globally 1 in 3 women have been attacked
Washington, DC – To mark the United Nation’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, on Tuesday November 25, the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), AFL-CIO/CLC, is calling on all nations to support an International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention on gender-based violence (GBV) to help end assaults against women worldwide.
At least one in three women around the world are estimated to have been sexually assaulted, physically beaten or otherwise abused in her lifetime, and this occurs everywhere, even at the workplace. For women aged 15 to 44, years of such violence is a major cause of death and disability.
“Violence against women is a serious violation of human rights. Sexual harassment, psychological violence, and bullying of women have become all too common in the workplace,” says ATU International President Larry Hanley. “The ATU strongly urges all nations to support the ILO convention to help prevent it. All countries must have a zero tolerance policy on violence against women.”
Only a few countries provide protection against gender-based violence in the workplace.
The ILO is currently considering adopting a convention on gender-based violence. However, a majority of the government members of the organization’s Governing Body must support the measure for it to be passed.
“There is no excuse for abusing women, or anyone in the workplace, home, or anywhere,” Hanley continued. “No one should feel threatened while working to provide for their families. This ILO convention is a strong step in ensuring that women and all workers feel safe and protected from abuse and intimidation at work.”