UASA Media Release: 4 March 2025
Statement by Abigail Moyo, spokesperson of the trade union UASA:
This year marks 30 years since the adoption of the United Nations Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action policy document, a landmark commitment to advancing gender equality worldwide.
Adopted unanimously by 189 countries in 1995, the declaration is an agenda for women’s empowerment and the key global policy document on gender equality. It sets strategic objectives and actions for women’s advancement and gender equality.
The UN highlights that despite significant strides made, progress on gender equality, the rights and empowerment of all women and girls remain stagnant in most parts of the world.
While we observe International Women’s Day, women’s rights worldwide remain under attack, fueled by inequality, discrimination, gender pay gap and the stigma of women occupying leadership positions.
UASA joins the International Trade Union Confederation’s (ITUC) call for more substantial trade union rights for women, calling for:
- Massive investment in decent care jobs.
- Equal pay for work of equal value.
- Full implementation of ILO Convention 190 to end gender-based violence and harassment at work across the globe.
Women continue to face systemic barriers at work and in society. We urge employers, government, stakeholders, and non-profit organisations to strengthen policy engagements to address labour challenges and societal disparities to help women and young girls.
UASA also advocates for skills development and training for women, especially in disadvantaged communities. We call on the government to invest in education and development for young women and girls in our communities.
We need to position women and girls with equal opportunities and with everyone. Knowledge, innovation, and progression are not determined by gender; they are roles for all of us.
Happy International Women’s Day to all women.
For further enquiries or to set up a personal interview, contact Abigail Moyo at 065 170 0162.