Injustice, discrimination, violence, and harassment against women occur every day in workplaces. Compounding the cultural and legal barriers faced by many working women, they also carry a double burden. After working long hours, they are expected to accomplish domestic tasks back in their homes.

This was the collective assessment of BWI’s trade union affiliates in the Asia Pacific region as they mark this year’s International Women’s Day and commit to strengthening the fight for gender equality. They said that trade unions are helping working women challenge many conventions that prevent them from breaking the glass ceiling.

Joining the global celebration of International Women’s Day, trade union women leaders from BWI’s affiliates in the region held various events to promote better and safer workplaces, as well as push for policies that provide stronger protection for working women.

In India, AIKTMS, TCTU, and KSCWCU organised Women’s Day commemorative events. Subsequently, in the Southeast Asia subregion, BWTUC (Cambodia), NUBCW (Philippines), STIEU, TEUPM, and UFES (Malaysia), as well as FSPMI, HUKATAN, and SERBUK in Indonesia, also held various activities to celebrate women’s struggles and victories.

TCTU President Bhuvaneshwari Nanjappan said that women are playing crucial roles in global change. “Women have made numerous positive changes in the world. Now, it’s time for the world to give back to women,” she said.

Meanwhile, coinciding with Women’s Month, KSCWCU Secretary General S. Leelavathi received the South Indian Women Achiever Award. She expressed hope that women would continue to fight against injustice. “Women must be strong to fight all forms of gender-based discrimination and injustice,” she said.