At the Second ITUC World Congress gender equality and ending violence against women were priority issues. Diana Holland, chair of the ITUC Women’s Committee, reminded delegates that women constitute half the world’s population, perform two-thirds of the work, but earn just 10 percent of the income and own only one percent of property. Gladys Branche of the Sierra Leone Labour Congress called on delegates to sign postcards, pledging to work on ending violence against women and girls. “Violence affects all lives, and millions of women around the world. Violence cuts across all classes, and impedes women’s rights to participate fully in society. Violence is a crime against women,” she said.

530 delegates present at the Congress, along with the senior leadership of ITUC signed on to the Say NO - UNiTE call for action.

ITUC Congress adopted a resolution on Gender Equality the same day, and set out a programme of action to achieve gender equality in the workplace and society.

For more information, visit http://www.ituc-csi.org/ituc-congress-calls-for-gender.html, http://www.ituc-csi.org/+-congress-+.html and http://www.ituc-csi.org/spip.php?page=moreviowomen.