GENEVA, NOVEMBER 25 – On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women the world is taking a stand against rape and all forms of violence and harassment against women, the International Organization for Labor Director General, Guy Ryder, stated today: “Violence against women is one of the most pervasive forms of discrimination, one of the most insidious means of undermining women’s dignity, autonomy and independence”.
Violence and harassment in the world of work has no regard for occupation or position. No country, sector or occupation is immune, said ILO’s DG: “Violence and harassment can, and must, end. In June 2019, governments and employers’ and workers’ organizations from across the world adopted the Violence and Harassment Convention (No. 190) and its accompanying Recommendation (No. 206). For the first time we have an international treaty that sets out the right of everyone to a world of work free from violence and harassment, and shows how that right can be realized”.
This commitment now needs to be turned into concrete, practical action. So, on this International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the ILO calls for the widest ratification of this ground-breaking Convention. Ratification will accelerate action on the ground, including the adoption and enforcement of national laws, systems for prevention and methods of effective redress.
“Violence and harassment in the world of work has enormous human, social and economic costs. Violence and harassment constitutes one of the greatest threats to decent work. No more excuses. Let’s work together and make the promise of Convention No. 190 a reality for all”, ends Ryder’s appeal. (@OnuItalia)