Within the framework of the International Action “16 Days against Violence against women”, the Federation of Trade Unions of the Republic of Kazakhstan held a discussion on the elimination of violence and discrimination against working women.
The campaign started on November 25 on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and will end on December 10 on Human Rights Day.
In solidarity with the international movement, these days the Federation of Trade Unions and its member organizations are holding events and discussion sessions on the problems of violence against women.
At the meeting, Deputy Chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions of the Republic of Kazakhstan – Chairman of the Commission on Working Women of the FTURK Gulnara Zhumageldiyeva stressed that strengthening the position of working women is a priority task of the trade union movement in the light of the promotion of social justice.
“Violence against women continues to be a global pandemic in the world today. Up to 70% of women suffer from domestic violence. According to the UN, 35% of women and girls in the world are subjected to some form of physical or sexual violence during their lifetime. And at the same time, in a number of countries, the consequences of violence against women persist for generations. But violence against women is a violation of human rights. And this phenomenon should be opposed by complete public rejection and the appropriate legislative framework,” G. Zhumageldieva stressed.
In addition, she noted the need to ratify ILO Convention No.190 on the Elimination of Violence and Harassment at Work, which provides trade unions with an exceptional opportunity to further combat gender-based violence.
“Playing a key role in the fight against all forms of discrimination and gender-based violence, the Federation of Trade Unions has submitted to the social partners the issue of ratification of ILO Convention No.190 “On the Elimination of Violence and Harassment at Work”. The Convention represents the first international labor standard aimed at combating violence and harassment in the world of work. This Convention is a landmark document confirming that everyone has the right to work free from violence and harassment,” the Chairman of the Commission stressed.
The participants of the meeting unanimously noted that the FTURK supports the campaign to combat gender-based violence in the workplace and the implementation of these standards in national legislation and in the workplace.
The Commission for Working Women created at the FTURK from among the active representatives of trade union organizations monitors the social well-being of working women and initiates serious issues for discussion.