#16Days: BWI condemns gender-based violence in Iran

On the occasion of the 2022 International Human Rights Day, which also culminates this year’s 16 Days of Trade Union Activism on Violence Against Women, BWI publicly shared a resolution it passed during its 5^th World Congress last October condemning the state violence directed against the women of Iran. 

It can be recalled that massive protests erupted in Iran and different parts of the world after the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who died in police custody after her arrest for allegedly failing to comply with Iran’s strict rules on women’s dress by wearing an “improper hijab”.

Guided by the principles of gender equality and non-violence, BWI, led by its women trade union leaders, passed a resolution strongly condemning the killing and the suppression of women’s rights in Iran. The resolution was submitted by Nicole Simons of IG BAU and was seconded by UNIA, IGBAU, GBH and IG Metal.

BWI said that it fully respects the people’s freedom of thought, belief and religion. However, it also asserted that it recognises and continues to fight for the right of women to be free from any form of gender-based violence, harassment and discrimination. 

“All women, including women workers, must be safe at all times at their workplaces and homes, and free from all legislation and policies that discriminate on the grounds of sex and gender, and contrary to international human rights standards,” BWI said. 

BWI is publicly sharing the said resolution as the global labour movement marks this year’s 16 Days of Trade Union Activism on Violence against Women. The global union hopes that more policies, similar to its recently passed gender equality resolutions, will be adopted by other global unions and federations to make workplaces and homes safe spaces for women workers. 

Read the resolution.