International Women’s Day celebrating achievements striving for gender equality

International Women’s Day is a global celebration of women’s achievements and a call to action for gender equality. Trade unions have been crucial in the fight for women’s rights in the workplace, advocating for policies that promote gender equality and combating discrimination and harassment.

Collective bargaining is one of the primary ways trade unions fight for women’s rights in the workplace. Unions negotiate with employers on behalf of their members to secure better wages, benefits, and working conditions. This process can help address the gender pay gap, which remains an issue in many industries. Unions can push for equal pay for equal work and better pay and benefits for jobs traditionally held by women.

Trade unions also play a critical role in combating sexual harassment in the workplace. Unions provide a safe and confidential way for workers to report harassment and advocate for policies and procedures that prevent harassment from occurring in the first place. Unions can also lobby for stronger enforcement of anti-discrimination laws.

In addition to addressing immediate workplace issues, trade unions can advocate for broader social and political changes that benefit women. Unions can lobby for policies such as paid parental leave, affordable childcare, and flexible work arrangements that can help women balance work and family responsibilities. By advocating for these policies, unions can help create a more equitable workplace and society as a whole.

In Israel, trade unions have been at the forefront of efforts to promote gender equality in the workplace. The Histadrut, Israel’s largest trade union federation, has been instrumental in pushing for legislative and policy changes to address discrimination and promote women’s representation in leadership positions. The Histadrut has also advocated for policies such as paid parental leave and flexible work arrangements to help women balance work and family responsibilities.

The efforts of trade unions have helped improve the status of women in the Israeli labor market and promote greater gender equality in society. However, there is still a long way to go in achieving gender equality worldwide. Trade unions will continue to play a critical role in this fight, advocating for policies and practices that benefit all workers, regardless of gender.

International Women’s Day is a reminder of the progress that has been made in the fight for gender equality, but also a call to action for continued efforts. Trade unions have been crucial in this fight, advocating for policies and practices that promote gender equality in the workplace and society. By working together, unions and workers can create a world where women’s rights are respected and their contributions are valued.

Posters from Histadrut campaign