Gender equality in the world of work emerged as one of the central issues during the 114th Session of the International Labour Conference (ILC) of the International Labour Organization (ILO). What was once widely regarded as a gradual but steady path toward progress—equal pay, protection against discrimination, and recognition of violence and harassment in the workplace as unacceptable—has become increasingly contested. At stake during this Conference was not only the adoption of new measures, but also the preservation of hard-won achievements secured through decades of struggle by workers and their organizations.

The negotiations within the ILO Committee on Advancing the Transformative Agenda for Gender Equality were particularly challenging. The United States government and a group of allied countries sought to redefine gender equality as merely “non-discrimination based on sex” and to remove references to intersectional discrimination and related policies. Such an approach would have significantly narrowed the understanding of gender inequality and weakened the ability of governments, employers, and workers' organizations to address the multiple and overlapping forms of discrimination experienced by many workers. Ultimately, these efforts were rejected. Following intense debate, the issue was put to a vote, and the broader concept of gender equality, including references to intersectionality, prevailed.

For the Building and Wood Workers’ International (BWI), gender equality extends far beyond formal rights and legal protections. It is fundamentally connected to how societies and economies are organized: how power, time, opportunities, and resources are distributed. Questions such as who performs unpaid care work, who has access to stable, decent employment, who enjoys safe working conditions, and who participates in decision-making processes are central to achieving genuine equality. As a result, progress on gender equality often challenges deeply rooted social norms and structural inequalities.

Working closely with other Global Union Federations (GUFs) and workers’ group delegates, BWI played an active role in securing several important advances in the Committee’s conclusions. Among the most significant achievements were the inclusion of gender-responsive occupational safety and health (OSH) policies, as well as measures to address violence and harassment in the workplace. Importantly, the Committee also recognized violence and harassment, including gender-based violence and harassment, as occupational safety and health issues that require preventive and protective measures.

These outcomes are particularly significant for women workers in BWI sectors, where occupational safety and health concerns have often been viewed through a gender-neutral lens that overlooks the specific risks and vulnerabilities faced by women. The results of the Conference also provide strong international support for BWI’s global campaign launched on 8 March 2026, “Violence Prevention is Safety Protection.” The campaign highlights the importance of addressing violence and harassment as integral components of workplace health and safety, rather than treating them as separate or secondary concerns.

The achievements secured at the 114th International Labour Conference demonstrate what is possible when women trade union leaders stand together, remain united in their objectives, and persevere through difficult negotiations. At a time when gender equality is increasingly challenged in international forums, these outcomes serve as a reminder that progress is neither inevitable nor permanent—but it can be defended and advanced through collective action, solidarity, and determination.

Discussion outcome on transformative agenda for gender equality at work