ITUC-AP’s PH affiliates issue joint statement vs. gender-based violence on workers

BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 29 (PIA) – Officials and members of the International Trade Union Congress – Asia Pacific’s (ITUC-AP’s) Philippine affiliates, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), Federation of Free Workers (FFW) and Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa (SENTRO) recently made a joint call for action to combat gender-based violence (GBV), including at the workplace, with the goal of achieving gender equality and advancing human rights of women.

During the recently held launching of the Joint ITUC-AP/Philippine Affiliates’ Key Findings on the Impact of Domestic Violence on Workers and in Workplaces in the Philippines last Sept. 23, 2015 in Quezon City, the union affiliates jointly called for the awareness raising on GBV and its impact on households, workers, workplaces and communities, and actions for prevention and mitigation.

It was revealed on the study that one in five respondents reported personal experience with domestic violence (DV) at some point in their life. An additional 20 percent of respondents knew someone at work who had experienced domestic violence.

“[There is a need to] strengthen existing responses, including implementation of relevant laws, policies and guidelines to prevent, mitigate and respond to all forms of GBV, including at the workplace, support and protect affected workers from GBV, but also address the broader challenge of addressing causes of discrimination and gender inequalities,” the statement read.

In the statement, they have also supported the comprehensive, coordinated and well-resourced plans of action, at the national and enterprise levels, on GBV and broader exchange of lessons and good practices, and explore new opportunities for cooperation, partnerships and dialogues including with trade unions and employers, to advance the protection of women and children.

They further avowed to sustain the continued collection, analysis and dissemination of reliable data on GBV, including indicators on work-related violence and costs to workers and enterprises, and develop a systematic research agenda on GBV to assist policy development and improve interventions.

The group also declared their readiness and commitment to collaborate with the relevant government agencies and partners and contribute to eliminating GBV and discrimination in the workplace. (FEA/PIA-Caraga)

– See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1721443492719/ituc-ap-s-ph-affiliates-issue-joint-statement-vs-gender-based-violence-on-workers#sthash.9BaWPeVU.sIcuufM9.dpuf