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'International Women’s Day celebrates the social, economic, political, and cultural achievements of women around the world; but women still face significant discrimination in the workplace and wider society.' explains the TUC. Yet the general public and many employers appear to be quite unaware of the significant impact policies, including health & safety has on the female workforce in the UK.
The TUC pints out the following facts: * We know that many women face multiple forms of discrimination with racial and gender inequalities intersecting, highlighted by evidence that BME women have had both the highest rate of unemployment (8.8 per cent) and the lowest rate of employment (62.5 per cent) throughout the pandemic. * Disabled women continue to be excluded from the labour market, demonstrated by the 52 per cent employment rate for disabled women workers compared to 85 per cent for white, non-disabled men. * The gender pay gap persists at 15.4 per cent, and the gender pensions gap is more than twice that, at 37.8 per cent. * 54,000 women are forced out of the labour market every year due to pregnancy and maternity discrimination * 1 million women have been forced to leave their jobs due to the lack of support for them while experiencing menopause. * Currently, only two in ten jobs are advertised as flexible. TUC research shows that half of working mums had had their flexible working request fully or partially turned down by their employer. * Violence against women extends into the workplace with half of all women experiencing sexual harassment in the workplace, rising to 7 in 10 for disabled women. * One in eight LBT women have experienced serious sexual assault while at work. Unionsafety E-Library Supports Women
The Unionsafety E-Library contains documentation and research information and advice aimed at enabling women and supporting them at work and in their everyday lives. Here are just some of the categories available to search with specific information for women: Harassment, Bullying, and Violence Menstruation Advice and Information PPE/Personal Protective Equipment Women At Work (Health & Safety) Here are just a few actions suggested by the TUC that you can take this International Women’s Day
This International Women’s Day, we must remember and celebrate our hard fought for wins and continue to organise and agitate. And from our brothers and allies we need not just their solidarity, but their action. Source: TUC / HSE / unionsafety
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Personal Protective Equipment including clothing is still designed based on a 1950s male body paradigm and can in fact make the use of safety equipment and the wearing of PPE designed for men, not only uncomfortable for women but in worse case scenarios; actually be a risk to the individual concerned.
Discrimination against women and girls still remains an issues in the UK. Equal rights at work, women's rights at work and disability rights are all issues which affect women on a daily basis.
Discrimination and Diversity