140m women suffer from FGM
By Florence Gbolu
Statistics from UNICEF indicates that hundred to one-forty million girls and women have undergone some form of female genital mutilation. And these practices continue to go on in a lot of African countries despite the fact that it is outlawed.
It is in this regard that the Organization of African Trade Union Unity (OATUU), on the occasion of International Women’s Day, is calling on Government, employers and Trade Unions to address the negative prejudices against women.
In a statement signed by the Acting Secretary General of the Organization, Mr. Demba Diop, women continued to suffer discrimination and inequalities in the world of work, adding that this persist and deepens in most countries of the world, especially Africa, where violence against women during armed conflict continues to be a major problem.
He further indicated that civilian casualties, most of them being women and children account today for 90 per cent of war related deaths. “When conflicts occur, women and girls suffer rape and sexual slavery, forced pregnancy and other forms of sexual violence, which is crime against humanity,” Mr. Diop emphasized.
He therefore noted that the time has come for all governments to seek protection of women’s rights.
“There cannot be peace and sustainable development until there are adequate laws to deal with these crimes against women,”, he said, adding that the laws are executed and all stakeholders should be sensitized to the nature and effect of gender based violence.
The trade unionist also called on governments, employers and trade unions to have the responsibility of ensuring a more effective and sustainable way of achieving equity in all spheres of life to enable women play their roles in a peaceful environment in which social and economic justice, gender equality and respect will be guaranteed and executed.
This not withstanding, he called for International Labour standards and women’s rights for increased productivity and wealth creation needs to be pursued vigorously.
He advised that the occasion should be seen as a great one as it draws women together in unity and friendship, to commemorate past achievements and highlight current social, economic and political issues.
It further provides the opportunity to develop network and facilitate partnerships between women and organizations.
He lamented that women have to play key roles in the socio economic and political development of their countries while at the same time taking care of their families.
He stated that women have to balance family responsibilities with accountability at their work places.
Women constitute the backbone of agricultural production and their work is critical in food security, but in many cases these do not happen, due to lack of support from their male counterparts and even governments.