Women in the Changing World of Work: Planet 50-50 by 2030

The world of work is changing, posing significant implications for women. On one hand, we have globalization, technological and digital revolutions and the opportunities they bring; and on the other hand, the growing informality of labour, unstable livelihoods and incomes, new fiscal and trade policies and environmental impacts—all of which must be addressed in the context of women’s economic empowerment, if we are to ensure inclusive and sustainable development.

Globally, women and girls spend a disproportionate time on household and familial responsibilities in the form of unpaid care. Often this is at the expense of their education, and engagement in economic activities and community leadership, which in turn prevents women from seeking gainful employment. This shapes the norms of relative disadvantage and advantage, of where women and men are positioned in the economy, of what they are skilled to do and where they will work. Only 50 per cent of working age women are represented in the labor force globally, as compared to 76 per cent of men. The employment gender gap has closed by only 0.6 percentage points since 1995, with an employment-to-population ratio of 46 per cent for women and almost 72 per cent for men. Women are overrepresented in the informal economy, and are employed in lower-skill occupations with lower pay, limited social protection, and reduced opportunities for upward mobility.

International Women’s Day is a time to reflect on the progress made, and celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women, who have played an extraordinary role in the gender rights movement. It is also a time to pledge commitments to gender equality and the empowerment of women. Working with the Government of the Republic of Tanzania, United Nations agencies in Tanzania – United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), International Labor Organization (ILO), and UN Women – are joining forces to commemorate the national theme “Tanzania ya Viwanda: Wanawake ni msingi wa Mabadiliko Kiuchumi (Industrializing Tanzania: Women are the Foundation of Economic Change)”.

In order to promote women’s economic empowerment in the changing world of work, we must reduce gender gaps in leadership, entrepreneurship and access to resources; recognize women’s contribution to unpaid care; ensure gender-responsive economic policies for job creation; and address social and cultural norms, discriminatory laws, gender norms, stereotypes and harmful practices that prevent women and girls from reaching their economic potential. We need to do more for our women and girls – we need to Step It Up for Gender Equality.

The Sustainable Development Goals are an opportunity to pool our efforts together and develop coherent, mutually effective and supporting policies for the economic lives of all women and girls. In line with Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development, achieving gender equality at work is an essential precondition to translate our ambitions into actions.

As the nation advances its transformational development agenda, it is crucial that all women and girls are enabled to make their contribution to the industrialization of Tanzania. A new world of work needs to be constructed for women and girls. They need to be encouraged to be economically independent, expand from their traditional roles of service and care, and be ready to be part of the technological and digital revolution. In the formal sector, we need to encourage polices that support both men and women in maintaining work-life balance; promote greater participation by men in care work, which in turn will support women to remain and progress in paid employment.

On this Day, we call upon all stakeholders to commit to overcome challenges to women’s economic empowerment, and to amplify efforts for the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of women by 2030.

ILO Office, Dar es Salaam

UNESCO Office, Dar es Salaam