The Building and Wood Workers’ International (BWI) International Women’s Committee (IWC) convened in November 2025 to reflect on progress in promoting gender equality across various industries and to shape a bold roadmap leading to BWI’s 6th World Congress in 2026.

At the heart of the discussion was a growing concern: the global rollback of women’s rights, which threatens the hard-won gains in gender equality. Women trade union leaders from around the world shared their experiences and strategies to resist this regression and strengthen women’s voices within their unions and workplaces.

They emphasised that in the industries where BWI is active, the situation has become increasingly urgent. Too many women workers face gender-based violence and harassment, struggle to achieve work-life balance, and are forced out of their jobs — not because they cannot perform the work, but due to a pervasive macho workplace culture and the lack of accessible childcare that compounds their burden.

“In light of these challenges, we see the upcoming ILO International Labour Conference (ILC) as a crucial milestone in our fight,” said Marta Pujadas, BWI IWC Chair and representative of UOCRA, Argentina. “This year’s ILC will hold a general discussion on advancing the transformative agenda for gender equality at work. We call on trade unions to work hand in hand with their governments to ensure that women workers are represented — to bring their voices, experiences, and demands to the global stage and push back against the global rollback of women’s rights.”

With the 2026 BWI World Congress on the horizon, the BWI IWC reaffirmed its commitment to building stronger, more inclusive unions — where gender equality is not just a goal but a foundation for a fair and just future for all workers.