A quantum leap for Gender Equality, for a better Future of Work for all
South Africa on the road to ratification of Convention 190
Following adoption of Convention and Recommendation on violence and harassment in the world of work at the ILC, South Africa Gender Equality Task Force held a planning workshop.
Gender Equality Task Force team comprises of ILO, Solidarity Center, Labour Research Service as well as gender champions from the three different Federations in South Africa that are part of National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC), COSATU, FEDUSA and NACTU.
What is the convention about?
This is the first time that a Convention and Recommendation on violence and harassment in the world of work have been adopted. It was crafted with contributions from governments, employer’s organizations and trade unions.
The convention recognize that violence and harassment can constitute an abuse of human right, and has a huge toll on individuals, on businesses, small and large, and on governments.
The convention acknowledges the disproportionate impact on women, and that domestic violence becomes a world of work issue when it impairs the work performance of victims and their capacity to continue to work, when it spoils the working environment and becomes a threat for co-workers or third parties.
This convention recognize the right of everyone to a world of work without violence and harassment and say ‘no tolerance for violence and harassment. Not in the workplace. Not anywhere’.
Due to the great importance of this new convention, he workshop was graced by senior officials from the Solidarity Centre, Commission on Gender Equality and Commission of Employment Equity.
The aim of the workshop was to plan and prepare for ratification of this new convention. ILO Conventions come into force, 12 months after two member states have ratified it and South Africa aims to be one of the first two member states to ratify.
The workshop was opened by the ILO DWT/CO Pretoria Director, Dr Joni Musabayana. In his opening remarks, he mentioned it would be great as one of the Africa member states, can be one of the first two member states to ratify.
A fish bowl activity was done, where gender champions shared the experience, and other participants joined the bowl to make their contributions or ask questions. The Gender champions, shared the process, emotions, the late nights and determination of all those that were in the committee that drafted Convention190.
They key presentation was done by Department of Employment and Labour, on the steps towards ratification. This led to intense discussions on the how the Gender Equality taskforce, will engage the key stakeholders (media, portfolio committee, Secretary Generals, meeting with Minister of Employment and Labour etc) to ensure support and understanding of Convention190 and importance of ratification.
Discussions were also held on implementation, as that is where the real work begins.
An action plan was developed, which will guide the Task Force of their role in the process to ratification.
The task force identified a need to beef up the team, by adding additional members to the team, the 6 new members will be from the Young Women Leadership programme and from the Male Gender Champions Programme.
A capacity building training, on International Labour Standards reporting is planned in the last quarter of the 2019 for the Gender Equality Task Force.
Gender Equality Task Force team comprises of ILO, Solidarity Center, Labour Research Service as well as gender champions from the three different Federations in South Africa that are part of National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC), COSATU, FEDUSA and NACTU.
What is the convention about?
This is the first time that a Convention and Recommendation on violence and harassment in the world of work have been adopted. It was crafted with contributions from governments, employer’s organizations and trade unions.
The convention recognize that violence and harassment can constitute an abuse of human right, and has a huge toll on individuals, on businesses, small and large, and on governments.
The convention acknowledges the disproportionate impact on women, and that domestic violence becomes a world of work issue when it impairs the work performance of victims and their capacity to continue to work, when it spoils the working environment and becomes a threat for co-workers or third parties.
This convention recognize the right of everyone to a world of work without violence and harassment and say ‘no tolerance for violence and harassment. Not in the workplace. Not anywhere’.
Due to the great importance of this new convention, he workshop was graced by senior officials from the Solidarity Centre, Commission on Gender Equality and Commission of Employment Equity.
The aim of the workshop was to plan and prepare for ratification of this new convention. ILO Conventions come into force, 12 months after two member states have ratified it and South Africa aims to be one of the first two member states to ratify.
The workshop was opened by the ILO DWT/CO Pretoria Director, Dr Joni Musabayana. In his opening remarks, he mentioned it would be great as one of the Africa member states, can be one of the first two member states to ratify.
A fish bowl activity was done, where gender champions shared the experience, and other participants joined the bowl to make their contributions or ask questions. The Gender champions, shared the process, emotions, the late nights and determination of all those that were in the committee that drafted Convention190.
They key presentation was done by Department of Employment and Labour, on the steps towards ratification. This led to intense discussions on the how the Gender Equality taskforce, will engage the key stakeholders (media, portfolio committee, Secretary Generals, meeting with Minister of Employment and Labour etc) to ensure support and understanding of Convention190 and importance of ratification.
Discussions were also held on implementation, as that is where the real work begins.
An action plan was developed, which will guide the Task Force of their role in the process to ratification.
The task force identified a need to beef up the team, by adding additional members to the team, the 6 new members will be from the Young Women Leadership programme and from the Male Gender Champions Programme.
A capacity building training, on International Labour Standards reporting is planned in the last quarter of the 2019 for the Gender Equality Task Force.