Trade Union Statement 54th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women and Beijing +15

Women in the Global Economy in a Time of Crisis

The 54th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (UN CSW54) in 2010 provides an invaluable opportunity to assess progress made and remaining challenges in implementing the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action fifteen years after its adoption in 1995.

The global trade union movement which will be represented at the CSW by EI, ITUC, PSI and UNI will express its deep concern at the plight of millions of working women caught up in a set of global and multiple crises that are not of their making, and that nevertheless are affecting their chances to live decent lives in dignity, equity and freedom from poverty. After being hit by the food and energy crises in the spring of 2008, they have been suffering the impacts of the financial crisis which peaked in September of 2008, precipitating a veritable jobs crisis, while the ongoing climate crisis slowly takes its toll.

These multiple food, financial, jobs and climate crises have wiped out a good portion of the gains made in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), with disproportionately negative impacts in increasing women’s poverty and food insecurity, and limiting their access to decent jobs, affordable, quality education, health and reproductive services, water and other basic social services. These crises have clearly undermined national policies aimed at reducing gender inequalities and equities.

Get informed, get involved and raise your voice for working women!
Visit our collaborative UN CSW 2010 Trade Union blog at: http://unioncsw.world-psi.org/

Education International (EI), International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), Public Services International (PSI) submitted a Trade Union statement to the UN Secretary-General.

ITUC, EI and PSI developed a web blog where trade union women delegates and those who previously attended the UN CSW will reflect on the issues covered at the UN CSW54 and on Beijing +15. A supporting brochure will be produced which includes all trade union activities at the 54th Session of the UN CSW (1-12 March 2010, New York).

Background Documentation
- Briefing Note Nº 2 for Trade Union Delegates to UN CSW54
- CSW54 Brochure

Previous Statements
- Trade Union Statement UN CSW53
- Trade Union Statement UN CSW52

The Beijing Platform for Action (ICFTU publications)
- Great Expactations, Mixed Results, Beijing +10, February 2005
- Women Workers: Reaching for the Sky, Beijing +5, May 2000

Information resources
- ILO’s Global Jobs Pact
- ILO Resolution: Gender Equality at the heart of decent work

This page also appears on the Crisis Unions’ Watch.