International Women's Day 2019
The International Labour Organization is the tripartite U.N. agency that promotes Decent Work through employment, social security, labour standards and social dialogue. Its work on skills development is guided by the conceptual framework on Skills to improve productivity, employment growth, and development agreed in 2008 by representatives of Governments, Employers’ Associations and Workers’ Associations. Research, policy advice, and pilot projects and technical cooperation programmes to apply good practices in different circumstances across its 185 member States aims to boost the employability of workers, the productivity and competitiveness of enterprises, and the inclusiveness of economic growth. The ILO Secretariat in offices in 40 countries works with Ministries of Labour, employers’ organizations, and trade unions to integrate skills development into national and sector development strategies in order to better meet current labour market needs and to prepare for the jobs of the future; to expand access to employment-related training so that youth, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups are better able to acquire skills and secure productive and decent work; and to improve the ability of public employment services to provide career guidance, maintain labour exchange services, and deliver active labour market programmes.For more information regarding the ILO’s work on skills and employability go to: http://www.ilo.org/skills/lang--en/index.htm; for ILO/Cinterfor's Knowledge Management Plarform, see: http://www.oitcinterfor.org
Women represent both half of the world's population – and half the world's economic potential. Their participation in the labour market reduces poverty because they often invest 90 per cent of their income in the well-being, education and nutrition of their families. Yet labour force participation by women has stagnated at about 55 per cent globally since 2010. Moreover, women are disproportionately represented in precarious work – low-paid, low-skilled and insecure jobs.
Training plays an important role in the pursuit of equality of opportunity and treatment for women and men in the world of work. Yet women often lack access to technical and vocational education and training. Many also lack the basic functional skills, such as literacy and numeracy, to participate meaningfully in the work force. Overcoming this challenge requires the adoption of a life-cycle approach. This includes improving girls’ access to basic education; overcoming logistic, economic and cultural barriers to apprenticeships and to secondary and vocational training for young women; and meeting the training needs of women re-entering the labour market and of older women who have not had equal access to opportunities for lifelong learning.
Think equal, build smart, innovate for change
This year’s theme ‘Think Equal, Build Smart, Innovate for Change’ provides a fitting opportunity to shine a spotlight on innovation at the heart of efforts to reflect the needs and viewpoints of women and girls and to resolve barriers ranging from access to public services to training and skills development for decent work.
Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular, SDG 4 on Quality Education and Lifelong Learning, SDG 5 on Gender Equality and SDG 8 on Decent Work and Economic Growth, requires transformative shifts, integrated approaches and new solutions, particularly when it comes to advancing gender equality and empowering women and girls. Many of these new approaches are highlighted in the landmark report of the Global Commission on the Future of Work.
Training and skills can unlock the door to better work for women and girls. Yet all too often, it can also reinforce occupational stereotypes by preparing women mainly for female-dominated jobs plagued by market saturation and low incomes. Enabling women to reach a wider range of jobs and occupations in traditionally male-dominated sectors with higher incomes and status requires an increase in access to the relevant education aligned to labour market demands and formal training systems. This requires action, such introducing girls to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) curricula, and increasing their access to digital technology that can pave the way into new high-value work.
In line with its mandate to pool knowledge on skills development for employability from credible sources, this Platform offers a variety of resources on the theme of equal employment and income opportunities. These include promoting gender equality in employment policies and programmes, entrepreneurship development, and empowering young women through business and vocational training. A selection of these resources is highlighted on the right hand margin of this page.
Countries and territories:
