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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.

STOP Gender-based violence at work!

10 June 2019

We have entered a decisive period in time: In one month’s time, at the ILO Conference on 10-21 June 2019, the second discussion and last round of tripartite negotiations will take place on the ILO instruments with a view to adopting an ILO Convention and Recommendation.

Handbook: Addressing violence and harassment against women in the world of work

21 March 2019

All women and men have the right to live and work free from violence and harassment. However, while this is generally accepted, violence and harassment remains pervasive throughout the world of work. It affects all jobs, sectors and occupations. It has serious consequences for workers, their families and communities, as well as for enterprises’ reputations and productivity.

PSI Interamerica Regional Conference: The Future of Work and Ending Violence and Harassment in Public Services

13 December 2018

More than 90 trade unionists from Latin America, Canada and the Caribbean met to discuss issues including challenges for trade unions and workers in ongoing debates on the future of work, the impact of technology on work and the ILO Convention on Violence and Harassment in the World of Work. A strong gender analysis was integrated into every one of these topics.

70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

10 December 2018

Today, 10 December, we celebrate International Human Rights Day and the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Campaign Toolkit: Paid Domestic Violence Leave

27 November 2018

PSI developed this toolkit to support affiliates and allies in campaigning for a broad and ambitious ILO Convention and Recommendation on “Ending violence and harassment in the world of work” and paid domestic violence leave for all workers.

Unions Demand Paid Leave for Survivors of Domestic Violence

27 November 2018

PSI affiliates in the Asia Pacific region have launched a campaign for universal paid leave for survivors of domestic violence as part of a push to strengthen labour laws and policies that can help stop violence and harassment.

Women are most likely to be affected by violence in the workplace, but we are all victims

27 November 2018

In an op-ed published around the world, PSI Gender Equality Officer, Verónica Montúfar, writes about how sexual harassment and assault are part of most women’s professional lives. Even though men can also suffer violence and harassment in the workplace, stereotyping and inequality in power relationships make women much more vulnerable to it.

STOP Gender-based violence at work!

10 June 2019

We have entered a decisive period in time: In one month’s time, at the ILO Conference on 10-21 June 2019, the second discussion and last round of tripartite negotiations will take place on the ILO instruments with a view to adopting an ILO Convention and Recommendation.

8th of March: Transforming the world of work for equal pay

06 March 2016
poster no difference at work

Public Services International (PSI) promotes the work of women trade unionists and stands united with all of our sisters who deliver vital public services. From the 8th of March to Friday the 25th, PSI joins its members around the world in celebrating women and their achievements.

ILO Standard on Gender Based Violence

10 October 2014

The November 2014 session of the ILO Governing Body will again discuss a proposal to include a standard setting item on “violence against women and men in the world of work” on the agenda of a future International Labour Conference. This item was last discussed at the March 2014 Governing Body and whilst there was strong support from some governments, the proposal was not supported by the employers. The Worker’s Group has consistently supported the proposal as a first priority.

Take action: International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women - 25 November 2013

21 November 2013
PSI violence against women poster

PSI is calling on all its affiliate members, men and women, to make a pledge to end violence against women and girls, at each of their workplaces around the globe.
Violence against women is an age-old problem – it is time to end it now.

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.

Handbook: Addressing violence and harassment against women in the world of work

21 March 2019

All women and men have the right to live and work free from violence and harassment. However, while this is generally accepted, violence and harassment remains pervasive throughout the world of work. It affects all jobs, sectors and occupations. It has serious consequences for workers, their families and communities, as well as for enterprises’ reputations and productivity.

Campaign Toolkit: Paid Domestic Violence Leave

27 November 2018

PSI developed this toolkit to support affiliates and allies in campaigning for a broad and ambitious ILO Convention and Recommendation on “Ending violence and harassment in the world of work” and paid domestic violence leave for all workers.

Case study: Workplace Violence - Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

16 April 2018
PSI’s World Women’s Committee (WOC) agreed that a high priority area of work is workplace violence in the health sector. The experiences of affiliates in raising awareness and developing campaigns and actions to eliminate workplace violence will contribute to the discussions and preparation for developing an ILO standard (convention and recommendations) on violence against women and men at work. This case study was prepared in August 2016 as part of PSI’s contribution to the ILO tripartite experts meeting and is part of the 2018 updated report “Tackling Violence in the Health Sector”.

Case study: Workplace Violence - Argentina

16 April 2018
PSI’s World Women’s Committee (WOC) agreed that a high priority area of work is workplace violence in the health sector. The experiences of affiliates in raising awareness and developing campaigns and actions to eliminate workplace violence will contribute to the discussions and preparation for developing an ILO standard (convention and recommendations) on violence against women and men at work. This case study was prepared in August 2016 as part of PSI’s contribution to the ILO tripartite experts meeting and is part of the 2018 updated report “Tackling Violence in the Health Sector”.

Case study: Workplace violence - Pakistan

16 April 2018
PSI’s World Women’s Committee (WOC) agreed that a high priority area of work is workplace violence in the health sector. The experiences of affiliates in raising awareness and developing campaigns and actions to eliminate workplace violence will contribute to the discussions and preparation for developing an ILO standard (convention and recommendations) on violence against women and men at work. This case study is part of the 2018 updated report “Tackling Violence in the Health Sector”.

Case study: Workplace Violence - Philippines

16 April 2018
PSI’s World Women’s Committee (WOC) agreed that a high priority area of work is workplace violence in the health sector. The experiences of affiliates in raising awareness and developing campaigns and actions to eliminate workplace violence will contribute to the discussions and preparation for developing an ILO standard (convention and recommendations) on violence against women and men at work. This case study was prepared in August 2016 as part of PSI’s contribution to the ILO tripartite experts meeting and is part of the 2018 updated report “Tackling Violence in the Health Sector”.

Tackling Violence in the Health Sector - A Trade Union Response

16 April 2018
This report on trade union preparedness and actions to tackle violence against women and men in the world of work, was first released in 2016. In 2018, an updated version of the study is being released, integrating the latest achievements of our affiliated unions in the health sector. The workers, many of whom are women, daily face ever-increasing levels of violence and harassment in the world of work. They respond and deliver quality service with deepest commitment and ethical principles.

Interactive webinar on “Ending gender-based violence in the world of work”

18 May 2017
Stop gender-based violence at work!

Join us for an interactive webinar on “Ending gender-based violence in the world of work” taking place on 29 May from 14h-15h30 Brussels (GMT+1) – check your time here. Interpretation will be available in English, French, Spanish, Arabic, and Russian. Register to join by following the instructions.

The Human Right to Peace: Women, Labour and Public Services in Conflict Zones

14 March 2017

This parallel event jointly organised by PSI-ITUC-EI-WUNR-SSIHRL on “The Human Right to Peace: Women, Labour and Public Services in Conflict Zones”, will take place on 14 March, 8:30 am, on the 10th floor of the Church Center for the United Nations.

Inter-American Women's Committee (Rio de Janeiro)

06 February 2017

PSI Interamericas Regional Women's Committee (IAMWOC) was held on 22 March in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Women Power Unions: Global Trade Union UNCSW Preparatory meeting (New York)

06 December 2016

Trade union representatives to attend Global Union/FES meeting in New York to develop strategy for upcoming UN Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW61), the principal global intergovernmental body dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women.

Bachelet calls on PSI to fight for an ILO resolution on the elimination of violence against women at work

01 November 2014
Mujeres de la ISP el “Encuentro Internacional sobre Violencia de Género en los lugares de trabajo y el empleo público”

Before an audience of more than 140 women members of the PSI, the President of Chile, Michelle Bachelet, called on the organisation to continue fighting for approval of an ILO resolution on the elimination of violence against women at the workplace and in public employment.

Struggle to eliminate violence against women in the workplace

07 October 2014
Eradicating violence against women

On 9-10 October, Michelle Bachelet, President of Chile, and over 100 PSI women, came together in Santiago de Chile to discuss the eradication of violence against women in the workplace and in public employment.

Everyday Oscars - #EndGBVatWork

12 March 2018

Ending violence against women is a top-priority for PSI. PSI fully supports the ITUC campaignfor this new international labour standard and invites all affiliated unions to join the campaign. Your mobilising, organising and lobbying is critical to build and ensure governments’ support for an ILO Convention and a Recommendation at the ILO Conference in June 2018.

Video: Workshop on violence in the workplace

23 November 2016

At its May 2016 meeting, PSI’s World Women’s Committee (WOC) agreed that a high priority area of work is workplace violence in the health sector. The WOC also agreed that the experiences of affiliates in raising awareness and developing campaigns and actions to eliminate workplace violence will contribute to the discussions and preparation for developing an ILO standard (convention and recommendations) on violence against women and men at work. This video of interviews is part of the case study on the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Video interviews: SOLSICO activists in healthcare

23 November 2016

At its May 2016 meeting, PSI’s World Women’s Committee (WOC) agreed that a high priority area of work is workplace violence in the health sector. The WOC also agreed that the experiences of affiliates in raising awareness and developing campaigns and actions to eliminate workplace violence will contribute to the discussions and preparation for developing an ILO standard (convention and recommendations) on violence against women and men at work. This video of interviews is part of the case study on the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Video: Gender issues in Swaziland

29 May 2015

Representatives of PSI affiliates met in Geneva on 25-26 May 2015 for the PSI World Women’s Committee. In this interview, Irene Khumalo from Swaziland Democratic Nurses Union (SDNU) talks about gender issues including violence against women in Swaziland.

Photos: Singapore Forum on the Elimination of Violence against Women

27 November 2013
PSI affiliates in Singapore held an event on 23rd November on Ending Violence against Women and invited the Speaker of the Parliament as the guest speaker, Mdm. Halimah Yacob Together they said violence against women is an age-old problem – it is time to end it now! Ms. Diana Chia, President of NTUC Singapore, is also a guest at this event. Photo credit: HDBSU - Singapore
Source: Flickr

PSI affiliates in Singapore held an event on 23rd November on Ending Violence against Women and invited the Speaker of the Parliament as the guest speaker, Mdm. Halimah Yacob. Together they said violence against women is an age-old problem – it is time to end it now!

See photos on Flickr.

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.

Audio: Unions win major victory at UN conference about violence against women and girls

19 March 2013

RadioLabour produced a special report on the victory at the UN Status of Women Conference - a victory in no small part due to work by activists from the ITUC, UNI and PSI.