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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.

Ending workplace violence and harassment in public services

23 November 2018

The recent deaths of two young women health workers in Nigeria, Saifura and Hauwa, are the latest tragic examples of the dangers faced by workers when delivering public services. However, on this 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, we must remember that it is not only in the extreme conditions of conflict zones that workplace violence occurs.

A commitment to collective action to eliminate workplace violence in the health sector

23 November 2018

PSI participated in the 6th Violence in the Health Sector conference that was held in Toronto on 24-26 October on the theme “Advancing the Delivery of Positive Practice”. The conference provided a platform for all parties confronted with the phenomenon of violence in healthcare to develop and implement positive practice and proactively respond to this complex problem.

Barbados: Pilot study on gender–based violence in the Public Sector

31 July 2018
Stakeholders' meeting on Barbados pilot study on GBV@Work

PSI’s sub-regional office for the Caribbean, together with its two affiliates in Barbados, have entered into a research partnership with the University of the West Indies to carry out a pilot study which will focus on the health and social services sector.

PSI General Secretary addresses the ILC Plenary

04 June 2018

The commitment of trade union members to build a better world is stronger than ever; as greater than ever are inequality and injustice, said PSI Secretary General, Rosa Pavanelli, when she addressed the Plenary of the International Labour Conference in Geneva.

International Labour Conference - Day #1 : Committee on Social Dialogue | Committee on Violence and Harassment

28 May 2018

Public Services International brought the voice of the world’s public sector workers to the 107th session of the International Labour Conference today, as the ILO’s flagship conference opened its doors.

Tackling gender-based violence in the world of work – experiences in the health sector

16 April 2018

PSI is pleased to present the updated report entitled “Tackling Violence in the Health Sector - A Trade Union Response”, a consolidated research effort first released in 2016. The 2018 updated version of the study integrates the latest achievements of our affiliated unions in the health sector.

International Women's Day 2018: Actions from around the world

26 March 2018

On 8 March, PSI affiliated unions from around the world organised mobilisations, events and activities to celebrate International Women’s day 2018 calling for equal pay and wage justice for all. Here are some of the events that took place worldwide.

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.

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.

Posters: International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

18 November 2013
PSI violence against women poster

PSI calls 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. Use these posters available in eight languages

Posters - International Women's Day 2013

28 February 2013
PSI poster for International Women's Day with slogan End Violence Against Women

Download PSI's International Women's Day 2013 posters (PDF).

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

Resolution 31: Against feminicide in Mexico, Central America and the Dominican Republic

30 November 2012

The 29th World Congress of Public Services International (PSI),

Rise now! End violence against women

19 November 2012
PSI Congress delegates sign to end violence against women

This background document was produced for the Women's Caucus held prior to PSI’s World Congress. The World Congress is an important forum where we can raise our voices and join together in solidarity to pledge our combined efforts to stop violence against women. Our public sector unions must work towards creating a violence-free world for the women of today and for generations to come.

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.

It’s time to end violence against women

30 October 2008
End Violence against women (cover)

“Violence against women means any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life”. United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women, Article 1

Framework guidelines for addressing workplace violence in the health sector

22 November 2005

Workplace violence - physical (homicide, attacks, beating) or psychological (mobbing, bullying, harassment) - affects all categories of workers in just about all sectors. However, the health sector is at major risk due to fundamental characteristics of the services delivered and the present work environment. Under the strain of reforms, social instability, increasing pressures from long working hours and shift work, demoralisation of workers, workplace violence is rapidly spreading in the health sector.