Social Dialogue and Gender

Social dialogue echoes the needs and aspirations of its constituents. Its relevance depends on whether all segments of society can make their voices heard. The low number of women in key positions in representative bodies acts as a brake on the advancement of gender equality issues and on improving the situation of women and men in the world of work. Issues such as sex discrimination, equal pay, work and family responsibilities including childcare and elder care, working time arrangements and sexual harassment will only be adequately included on the social dialogue agenda if enough women are parties to the dialogue. It is also essential that the gender dimension of various other 'traditional' topics is acknowledged and addressed in order for social dialogue at all levels to be credible and equitable. There is therefore a pressing need to increase the participation of women in existing social dialogue structures, including unions and employers organizations, and have the gender dimension mainstreamed in the social dialogue agenda.

Projects and Activities
• ILO Programme of Assistance to Employers' Organisations
• Promotion of Women in Private Sector Activities through Employers'Organisations
• Infocus Programme on Social Dialogue, Labour Law and Labour Administration, Projects and Activities

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Publications
• "As one employer to another ... What's all this about EQUALITY?"
• Gender Equality Bargaining: An Overview (pdf, 254KB)
• A sectoral approach to gender and equal opportunities issues

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