Gender and Occupational Safety and Health
The big picture
A gender sensitive approach recognises that because of the different jobs women and men do, their different societal roles, the expectations and responsibilities they have, women and men may be exposed to different physical and psychological risks at the workplace, thus requiring differing control measures. This approach also improves the understanding that the sexual division of labour, biological differences, employment patterns, social roles and social structures all contribute to gender-specific patterns of occupational hazards and risks. For OSH policies and prevention strategies to be effective for both women and men this dimension needs to be taken into account and such policies must be based on more accurate information about the relationship between health and gender roles.
Focus on:
The gender dimension - Integrating the gender perspective in OSH policies
Key resources
-
Working paper
10 Keys for gender sensitive OSH practice: Guidelines for gender mainstreaming in occupational safety and health
1 December 2013
Explains how to integrate gender issues into the analyses, formulation and monitoring of policies, programmes and preventive measures in order to reduce inequalities between men and women in occupational safety and health.
-
Information note
Women workers and gender issues on occupational safety and health
05 November 2010
Highlights the key gender issues in the field of OSH, progress and achievements in addressing these issues, as well as recommendations on how to integrate the gender perspective in the field of OSH.
-
EU-OSHA report
Mainstreaming gender into occupational safety and health practice
14 November 2014
This report presents examples of policies, programmes and practices from across the EU and worldwide to illustrate gender approaches in OSH.
-
WHO Protecting Workers' Health Series
Building healthy and equitable workplaces for women and men: A resource for employers and worker representatives
2011
This document provides employers and worker representatives with tools to build healthy and equitable workplaces for women and men while bringing needed attention to issues predominantly affecting women.