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Ending violence against women

Violence against women exists in all countries and in all societies. It happens in private and public places, and in physical as well as virtual online spaces. Violence is often driven by a deep-seated belief that a woman is not equal to a man. PSI and our affiliates can work together and with civil society organisations to break the silence and mobilise against discrimination and violence in our workplaces and societies.

Unions in India hold forum on the elimination of violence against women

27 November 2013
Participants to the forum holding the different GUF posters

Close to 50 representatives from ITF, PSI, UNI, IndustriALL and BWI affiliated unions attended a joint discussion forum on the issue of Effective participation by trade unions on ending violence against women.  The forum was held on International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, 25 November 2013, at Maniben Kara Hall, in Mumbai, in India.

Video: Say NO to violence against women

26 November 2013

Watch the video published by PSI affiliate, SINALSERPUB, produced by Laura Camila Esteban Niño a young student in economics, on ending violence against women.

Communiqué: Public Services International Steering Committee SC-17

25 November 2013
PSI Steering Committee and staff, November 2013

Angered by the continuing attacks on public services and the workers who provide these services, distressed by the rising inequality across the world and the failure of the current economic system to provide jobs, particularly for young people, the Steering Committee reiterated its commitments to the 2013-2017 Programme of Action “Social Justice through Quality Public Services” and endorsed priority actions for 2014.

Violence against women is an age-old problem – it is time to end it now.

25 November 2013
PSI violence against women poster

“If we act with courage, conviction and commitment, we can change violence against women from being the most pervasive violation of human rights to being a rare occurrence that is considered unacceptable and no longer tolerated.” Michelle Bachelet, Executive Director of UN Women, on International Women’s Day (8 March 2013).

Monday is White Ribbon Day – don’t keep it a secret

22 November 2013
Australian white ribbon campaign

On White Ribbon Day - the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women - PSI affiliate, the Australian Services Union (ASU) will participate in awareness raising activities to promote the message because violence against women is not something that should be keep a secret. By opening this tragedy up to the light, we have a greater chance of eliminating it.

New ILO Convention on violence at the workplace needs more government support and trade union action!

20 November 2013
Workplace violence image

A new standard on violence at work was one of the items discussed at the ILO Governing Body meeting in October 2013. In the light of the ILO’s strategic objectives, violence against women and men at work is a global concern. It is a human rights issue, as well as a health, education, legal and socio-economic problem.

Work-related violence and its integration into existing surveys

20 November 2013

Statistical measurement of violence at the workplace has been neglected, states a new ILO report presented at the 19th International Conference of Labour Statisticians, held in Geneva, 2-11 October 2013.

Seminar on gender equality in Baku in Azerbaijan

19 November 2013
Participants to the seminar on gender quality in Baku in Azerbaijan

On 7th November 2013, Abvakabo FNV Women took part in a two-day seminar on gender equality in Baku in Azerbaijan with representatives of Azeri and Turkish unions. The seminar was organised with the support of Marina Irimie, PSI and EPSU sub-regional secretary for South East Europe. The seminar tackled issues of public sector services, government, healthcare and education and went on to discuss the terms and conditions in which women work.

Mobilizing for action – public service workers aim for social and economic justice in Asia Pacific

18 October 2013
group photo

More than 100 leaders of unions affiliated to the global union federation Public Services International concluded meetings in Bangkok, Thailand this week by committing to take joint action to build the power and influence of public service workers in the Asia Pacific region.


The unions identified strategies to address a number of important issues, including fighting harmful free trade agreements, stopping privatization and related corruption in public services, ending violence against women, and advancing positive solutions through tax justice, stronger trade union rights, and supporting young workers and migrant workers in public services.

End violence against women now! International Women's Day 8 March 2013

08 March 2013
Poster for International Women's Day with heading End violence against women

Public Services International joins our members across the globe in celebrating the social, political and economic change and achievements of women on 8th March. PSI promotes the work of women trade unionists and stands united with our sisters who place themselves on the frontline to deliver vital public services.

A union perspective : UNCSW 57 opens in New York

05 March 2013

Since 4th March, union women from around the world have been in New York for the United Nations’ 57th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW57). Focusing on the elimination and prevention of all forms of violence against women and girls, the trade union delegation to UNCSW57 calls on all member states to take all necessary measures to immediately and without further delay prevent and remedy violence against women and girls.

No compromise on women’s rights Zero tolerance for violence against women and girls

19 February 2013

Together with other civil society partners, trade unions develop, implement and promote strategies aimed at eliminating violence against women and girls. This joint global union statement will be presented to the UNCSW57. For more information: http://unioncsw.world-psi.org

Rise now! End violence against women

23 November 2012

PSI women speak out to end “violence against women” at the PSI Women’s Caucus, Durban, South Africa on 25 November 2012 International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

For more information: http://congress.world-psi.org/womens-caucus

Impact of the economic crisis and austerity measures on women

04 July 2012

Women are losing jobs in both the private and public sectors, which has an immediate effect on household income but a much longer term effect on the role of women in the labour force.