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SAVING LIVES NEEDS SAFETY
International Day for the Elimination
of violence against Women
25 November 2016
Public service workers
are at the forefront of conflict
and emergency situations around the world. They assist women
who suffer from domestic violence, help victims of violence in the
street, save the lives of those hit by natural or man-made disasters, and are
sometimes themselves targets for violence by third parties. Violence is often perpetrated by fighters from various armed
groups. Rape and physical violence continue to be used as a weapon of war to
punish civilians, perpetuating thousands’ years old barbaric crimes. Rape is
committed along with murder, physical aggression, abductions and looting.
Increasingly, hospitals and health workers themselves are also targeted by
armed forces to intimidate both their opponents and local populations, in
total violation of all international conventions.
Rosa Pavanelli, PSI General Secretary
says: “Trade unions are struggling to end violence at the workplace and in
society. We stand for peaceful solutions, a culture of dialogue based on the
human right to health, peace and social protection. In all countries, we need
a strong commitment from governments to address the deeply rooted causes of
violence against women: inequality and discrimination. States must provide
adequate measures to prevent violence and protect threatened women, as well
as prosecution, counselling and education to change the mentality of people.
Shelters for abused women must be provided, and it is unacceptable that under
austerity policies those services are abolished in many countries.
Governments also need to provide safe harbours for refugees, of whom women
and girls are the majority, and ensure that the needs of women and girls are
taken into account. Public Services International (PSI) recognises the strong
links between health, social protection and the achievement of gender
equality. Ending extreme poverty, living in peace and democracy,
and achieving all the global
sustainable development goals means that societies must provide
opportunities for all people, especially women, to prosper through quality
nutrition, health and education.”
Evidence from studies
and experiences of healthcare
workers in PSI’s global family point to the fact that, while both
men and women in the sector suffer from various forms of violence, the power
relations in society that see women as second-class citizens translate to the
reality that women healthcare workers are especially targeted. Emergency
workers, health professionals, particularly paramedics and nurses are the two
occupational groups that face violence at the workplace most often.
Tackling violence
requires a pro-active response aimed to eliminate its root causes. Long-term
projects, including constant evaluation of the various steps taken and based
on participation and collective bargaining are fundamental.
Establishing international enforceable standards, and monitoring systems are
key in updating existing legislation on workplace violence, harassment and
other forms of gender-based violence. These standards are invaluable in
countries where there is no legislation. An important tripartite
agreement was reached in the ILO in October that will allow to put forward an
international standard to tackle violence against women and men in the world
of work in which gender-based violence is a fundamental issue.
Through innovative
campaigns, starting at the workplace, to national and regional actions, PSI
affiliates are using their collective strength and power to raise awareness,
break the silence, campaign for national laws and promote the adoption of a
global ILO standard to eliminate gender-based violence at work and in
communities. At the same time, we call for the recognition of the central
role of gender responsive quality public services and universally accessible
health services to sustain long-lasting peace and recovery from conflict. The
protection and respect of health workers in conflict zones and in emergency
situations is key to ensure the safety, human rights and lives of all.
SAVING LIVES NEEDS
SAFETY AND SOCIAL PROTECTION
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