9 - Conclusions

Summary

In this final chapter we draw some conclusions about this important global campaign and how a women-led movement successfully influenced global policy-making by disrupting and changing the global and national institutional structures of decision-making, to the benefit of all workers. Through the campaign, workers gave expert insights into the world of work, with the twin effects of raising the profile of women in trade unions as effective and respected actors in the world of work and reigniting activism around an issue that has united women across the world.

The global campaign contributed in no small way to ensuring that tackling violence and harassment in the world of work, and a strong focus on GBVH, become firmly embedded in global governance. There is critical learning about the claims made by women workers, and the role of trade union activism and advocacy, alliance building, tripartism and how these processes of change have impacted and will continue to impact on global and national policy formation. Sustaining the momentum of the campaign, and global and national leadership and advocacy for the implementation of progressive national public policies and legal frameworks, is critical. For many women involved in the global campaign, there is no going back. With recognition of a new human right to work in freedom from violence and harassment, expectations are high about the possibility of transformational change through strategies for the prevention of GBVH and securing accountability and gender justice.

Revisiting the themes running through the book

Our first theme addressed the power of diverse women's voices, and the recognition of intersecting forms of discrimination, which led to the global campaign for an international globally binding labour standard to prevent and address GBVH. The campaign was deeply rooted in women's experiences of multiple forms of discrimination, and this came directly into the corridors and meeting rooms of the ILO. In Chapter 2 we documented how the diverse voices of women workers led to inclusive organizing for a campaign centred on the needs of workers who have historically been excluded from decision-making, and in Chapter 7 through the campaign for the ratification of C190. Fundamental to the campaign was the prioritization of awareness raising, education and building women's voice and agency in unions at the grassroots.