WOMEN'S HUMAN
RIGHTS IN THE CHANGING
WORLD OF WORK
Reimagining the world
of work so it is equal
for everyone
The world of work is not a level playing field for women.
A significant share work in low-paid and vulnerable jobs with no rights or entitlements and the global pay gap remains persistent at 20%.
Scroll down to discover what change is needed to make the world of work equal for everyone, and what you can do to make a difference.
Challenges: persistent and new
Women’s inequality at work is driven by discrimination and defined gender stereotypes, including women bearing the lion’s share of unpaid care work.
Without action, women’s inequality in the workplace will become ever greater. Technological advances, demographic change, globalisation and climate change are transforming the ways we work and live. However, their impacts – both good and bad – are not distributed equally, meaning they can amplify inequalities women face.
Change starts with prioritising women’s human rights in the world of work. But first we need to understand what lies in the way of progress.
Necessary change
Ensuring that future trends like automation, globalisation, climate change and demographic change do not deepen existing discrimination against women requires targeted action. What might this look like? Fortunately, examples of progress already exist.
If governments address violence and harassment in the workplace
If unpaid care and domestic work is properly valued
If patterns of ‘women’s work’ and ‘men’s work’ are disrupted
If rights and entitlements are granted to informal workers
If women can organise and participate in collective action
If we can reimagine the structure of work and the economy
The ripple effect
Access to work and a decent income lifts them and their families out of poverty, increases their decision-making power in the household and ensures their economic independence.
However, without urgent attention, there is a significant danger that existing inequalities and discrimination faced by women will not only be continued but will be exacerbated in the changing world of work.
Creating a world of work where women benefit and contribute on an equal basis with men requires reimagining the structure of work and the economy, with women’s human rights placed at the centre. A world of work that realises women’s human rights will not only benefit women – it will lift all.
What’s your role in this?
Here’s how you can make a difference
