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WFTO Statement on International Women’s Day, 8 March 2010
The WFTO celebrates International Women’s Day with all women. We celebrate because more and more women are taking active roles in improving their conditions and contributing to the overall development agenda. But this occasion also reminds us that there is still a long struggle ahead.
The global picture of women today is dismal despite achievements in the struggle for gender equity. Latest data show women continue to be discriminated against in global labour markets, have less access to basic services and that violence against women is still a painful reality.
Not a pretty picture
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FACTS:
Global unemployment rate 6.0 per cent in 2008 The unemployment rate for women was 6.3 per cent in 2008
Women made up 40.5 per cent of the global labour force in 2008 or 1.2 billion
Share of vulnerable employment in total female employment was 52.7 per cent in 2007
Globally, women employed in agriculture stands at 35.4 percent, as compared to 32.2 per cent for men, but this proportion rises to almost half of all female employment, at 48.4 per cent, if the more industrialized regions such as the Developed Economies and the European Union, Central and South Eastern Europe (non-EU) & CIS and Latin America and the Caribbean are excluded.
Given the key role of women in the agricultural sector, improving their situation means progress for the sector and for the economy as a whole.
SOURCE: ILO REPORT “Global Employment Trends for Women March 2009.” |
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According to the 2009 report of the International Labour Organization (ILO), adult women’s employment-to-population ratio has increased from 48% to 49% between 1998 and 2008. Despite this increase, gender inequality is still a major problem for women in the labour market. There are still more women out of work than men and facing constraints to improve their conditions at work and to find work that they like.1
Although more women are taking employment, the global labour markets continue to discriminate against women. First of all, it is difficult for women to find a job. The ILO reported in 2008 that the unemployment rate for women is 6.3% while 5.9% for men. Out of 3 billion working people 1.2 billion are women.
Most working women are in insecure, low paid, and taking up tedious jobs. They tend to work very long hours. According to the ILO, almost half of all working women are farmers in poor countries. Globally, women dominate the work in agriculture making them the world’s food producers.
Women work hard but they are not fairly compensated. Women in poor countries have less access to productive and decent paying jobs. Although the gender wage gap in developed countries is improving, in poor regions like Africa, Asia and Latin America there is still wide gap in wages between men and women. The 2009 UN Millennium Development Goals Report tells us that “women remain more vulnerable on the job front, assuming the largest share of unpaid work.”2
Violence and abuse against women and girls continue to give cause for concern. Women and girls in rich and poor countries are continually subjected to abuse and attacks. UNIFEM says violence is a major cause of death and disability for women and girls.3
Low wages and unpaid work, long hours, poor working conditions, violence, discrimination and poverty are the shameful realities most women continue to endure today. WFTO believes that the dismal status of women is linked to global economic inequity that perpetuates poverty brought about by unfair trade relations.
Our response
Our response is Fair Trade. Fair Trade is inclusive. Fair Trade respects international conventions and agreements and adopts them in our principles and standards.
We do this because we believe that there is a direct link between economic growth and women. If women are paid fairly for all their work and given the same opportunities as men, GDP would increase.4
We have faith in women because women are key to:
- economic growth
- poverty reduction
- food crisis alleviation
- climate change mitigation
- environmental conservation
- family care and positive social values
- peace making
WFTO and the Fair Trade movement, then, call on the World Trade Organization, especially the rich and influential member nations, to adopt a just trading system that promotes participatory, sustainable development. Adopting fair trading policies and ensuring that international social and environmental conventions and agreements are implemented is the key to sustainable development leading to economic growth for all thereby improving women’s status, and paving the way for more participation by women in all economic, social and political affairs.
Through Fair Trade, women have the opportunity to realise their full potential: rights are respected; they play their full part in their communities; they are encouraged to take leadership roles; they participate in decision making; they are paid fair wages for the work they do. To make our commitment of Fair Trade a reality, we are developing a new Fair Trade system based on our 10 Fair Trade Standards. The Sustainable Fair Trade Management System (SFTMS)5 is our response to poverty, climate change, the food crisis and gender inequality. SFTMS is our means to finding greater market access for small producers, ensuring that they follow sustainable production through internationally-recognised standards, encouraging fair trading relations between businesses and producers, promoting trade between southern producers and businesses to contribute to strengthening southern economies, and promoting rural livelihoods through an accessible certification system. The SFTMS is a cost effective system currently being developed to improve the production processes of small producers and small to medium enterprises (SMEs), the majority of whom are women.
Women make up more than 60% of the WFTO network - artisans, small farmers, traders, retailers, volunteers, leaders, academicians, professionals, advocates and indigenous. Together with them, we strive for economic and gender equity through Fair Trade. The Fair Trade approach has proven efficient and tangible response to poverty, economic and global food crises, and climate change.
(Visit the International Women's Day section of the WFTO here.)
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