On International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026, BWI reaffirms its unwavering commitment to gender justice, human rights, and democratic workplaces and calls on its affiliates worldwide to mobilise with determination and unity to advance women’s rights in every workplace and community. 

Since its founding Congress, BWI has stood at the forefront of the struggle for gender equality by breaking barriers, expanding women’s leadership, and challenging discrimination in historically male-dominated sectors. Today, more than ever, this commitment must continue to translate into bold, concrete action that strengthens women’s voice, agency, and power across our movement and in society. 

Across the world, hard-won gains are being reversed as labour protections weaken and accountability is resisted. Violence and harassment are normalised, reporting systems are undermined, and women who speak out face retaliation instead of justice. In BWI sectors, gender-based violence is not incidental; it is rooted in structural power imbalances embedded in subcontracting chains, informality, labour migration, and exclusion from decision-making. 

Yet at a time of rising anti-gender movements and divisive rhetoric, women in BWI affiliates are fighting for their rights and an equal future. In Argentina, women are organising to confront violence and harassment in construction. In Ukraine, they are breaking barriers, gaining new skills, and rebuilding their country. In Zimbabwe, they stand at the forefront of the fight against asbestos and for safe workplaces. In India, they are claiming their place in a just transition, securing skills and access to green jobs. Across regions, women in BWI sectors are not waiting for change; they are driving it. 

This struggle extends beyond women’s rights; it concerns the rights and dignity of all workers.  

On International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026, BWI declares: there must be no step back from equal and safe workplaces. Under the slogans: NO STEP BACK ON EQUAL AND SAFE WORKPLACES 
“Violence Prevention is Safety Protection.” 

We will intensify our collective actions. We will mobilise in workplaces and in the streets. We will demand stronger laws, effective enforcement, and properly resourced inspection and justice systems. We will expose abuse, challenge systems that allow violations to go unchecked, and insist on accountability. 

We will not accept any rollback of women’s rights. 

We stand for women’s equal participation, leadership, and voice in every workplace: and we organise to make it a reality.