In Mauritius, the Construction, Metal, Wood and Related Industries Employees Union (CMWEU) held a training session on ILO C190 last 3 March with the participation of more than 35 women workers. This culminated in a 500-strong rally on 7 March led by CMWEU President Jane Ragoo calling for the ratification of ILO C190.
In Ghana, PUWU and TWU launched a full-day campaign for the ratification of ILO C109. The activity was held in Accra and Koforidia with the participation of 75 women workers. Edna Opoku Boakye, National Vice Chair of PUWU and titular member of Afreco for West Africa, explained that the ratification of ILO C190 is not only a women’s issue, but also a way to narrow the gender gap between working men and women and create safe and gender-fair workplaces.
This was echoed by BWI affiliates in South Africa. The BWI staff in the Regional office led by Regional Representative Crecentia Mofokeng conducted a half day campaign calling on all African and Middle Eastern countries to immediately ratify ILO C190.
In Burkina Faso, BWI affiliates FNTCS, FTBBF and SNTBB, with the Support of the Regional Campaign and Policy officer, celebrated International Women's Day by expressing their solidarity to all women victims of violence and terrorist attacks. Fatimata Pafadnam, head of SNTBB women's committee, said that the yearly event should be an occasion to highlight the many facets of violence against women, especially women workers.
Similarly, BWI’s Ugandan affiliate, UBCCECAWU, led by Regional Women Committee Chair Elizabeth Amuto, organized a protest action before a worksite in Kampala calling for an end to violence and harassment in workplaces and for the Ugandan Parliament to ratify ILO C190.
Meanwhile, BWI affiliates in Mena and the FGBB in Tunisia used the annual celebration to raise awareness on how to promote workers’ health and safety amid the global spread of COVID-19. The groups sterilized their respective offices before they conducted education sessions on ILO C190. FGBB said that this year’s celebration is special as male union members participated in their event.
BWI affiliate GTUBWW in Egypt decided to postpone its women’s month events as authorities restricted big gatherings and assemblies.