Africa and Middle East : 31 unions mark International Women’s Month

31 BWI affiliates from 20 countries in Africa and the Middle East marked this year’s International Women’s Month by holding various online and physical activities to demand gender equality amidst global efforts to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a video message, BWI Regional Representative for Africa and Middle East Crecentia Mofokeng called on women trade unionists to intensify the struggle for a gender-equal better future. 

“For me, an equal and better future means giving the same opportunities to women brick layers, stone crushers, crane operators, electricians, engineers and other women workers. We should have the same wages, social protection, OHS provisions and seats at decision-making bodies as any other worker,” Mofokeng said. 

This was seconded by BWI Regional Women’s Committee Chair Elizabeth Amuto. In a prepared statement, Amuto, who is also from UBCCECAWU of Uganda, appealed to BWI affiliates in Africa and the Middle East to intensify efforts in engaging employers and governments in coming up with policies that will ensure protection of women workers from all forms of gender-based violence and equal access to economic and social opportunities. 

BWI is marking this year’s International Women’s Month with the dual campaign themes of “No Recovery without Gender Equality,” and “Gender-equal Better Future.”