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.

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. 

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

• 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.

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