CAW sisters join IWD March in NY

 International Women’s Day

Canadian trade unionists join global march calling for an end

to violence against women and girls

 

On Friday March 8th, the CAW women's delegation to the UNCSW57 joined with other Canadian trade union women (represented by four international Global Union Federations - the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), Education International (EI), Public Services International (PSI) and UNI Global Union) to march in New York on International Women's Day to call for an end to violence against women and girls. The 42 Canadians (including our 4 CAW sisters) were among the 85-member trade union delegation in New York for the United Nations 57th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), taking place March 4-15, 2013.

The “For a Life Free from Violence Against Women & Girls” march  urged governments - including the Canadian government - tostep up to their responsibilities with respect to ending violence against women and girls in their respective countries.  The march coincided with this year’s CSW theme “The elimination and prevention of all forms of violence against women and girls”.

Under the banner “No more words, time for action”, trade union delegates advocated for: measures to address violence in the workplace; for women’s economic independence through decent work; for access to public services to help victims of violence, and for education measures as a means to prevent and eliminate violence. Trade unions are also seeking to be identified as legitimate stakeholders in the prevention of violence of women and girls.

The trade union delegation represents over 70 million women workers from 27 countries around the world.

(adapted from the Canadian Media Advisory on Internation Women's Day, NY, March 8th)

In sisterhood and solidarity,

Julie White