Message from the ILO Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean on International Women's Day
A call to action for gender equality in the world of work and the valuing of care
Message from the ILO Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, Ana Virginia Moreira, on International Women's Day
The International Labour Organization (ILO) in Latin America and the Caribbean is committed to social justice. However, to achieve it, we must eradicate persistent discrimination against women in all areas of their lives:
- Girls deserve to enjoy their childhood without being forced to work and without being exclusively engaged in care work.
- All women have the right to develop their skills and participate fully in the labour market, enabling them to lead independent economic lives.
- It is essential that they receive fair pay, equal to that of men for work of equal value, and are able to develop professionally without facing barriers such as glass ceilings or unsafe working environments where violence and harassment are a reality.
The main obstacle to equal access to employment and decent work for millions of women is the lack of means to reconcile work and family responsibilities.
In the context of 8 March, we must remember the importance of Convention 156 on women workers with family responsibilities, which highlights the need to achieve a work-life balance.
The ILO recognises that working people take on caring responsibilities at different stages of their lives, and that this work is valuable and essential. This is the ILO's commitment to gender equality and social justice.
Happy International Women's Day!
