KATHMANDU, June 12: Though majority of women prefer to have paid work, contrary to this, the situation is disappointing as women progress in work in terms of number and quality is slow worldwide and is completely halted in some parts, show the key findings of a survey conducted in 142 countries by the International Labor Organization (ILO) and the Gallup. 

The organizations have said that this finding depicts a huge difference between the women's interests and reality in the labor market. 

The ILO 106th Labor Conference is underway in Geneva, Switzerland since June 6. The Conference will run until June 17. The ILO 187 member states are reportedly making efforts to better deal with the issues relating to labor market, labor migration, professional security and health, climate change and women in employment.

Workers', employers' and governments' delegates from the member states have gathered in Geneva to discuss and address these issues during the Conference which is often called an parliament of international labor . 

The June 15th session "World of Work Summit" to be under the Conference is to hold discussions on the theme of 'Towards a better future for women and work: Voices of women and men'. 

The ILO, the only tripartite UN agency since 1919, is currently launching discussions on obstructions in ensuring decent work for women and it is believed which is expected to be a help in finding the achievements in regard with the agenda of changes embedded in the United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs). 

Decent work and gender equality are the important parts of the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development set by the UN. And, it is believed that decent work for women will create a ground for providing decent work for all. 

The first woman President of Nepal, Bidya Devi Bhandari, would address these and other related issues as the keynote speaker in the Summit. 

Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, President of the Republic of Malta, Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, President of the of the Republic of Mauritius along with Bhandari, President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal would the Summit as the keynote speaker, highlighting the actions they have taken as world leaders to advance gender equality in the world of work, stated in the website of the International Labor Organization. 

A survey report ' Towards a better future for women and work: Voices of women and men' carried out by ILO and Gallup was released in March, 2017. The report drew the conclusion that women would prefer to be working at a paid job and that work-family balance/ lack of affordable care is considered to be the main challenge to women at work across the globe as well as unequal pay, unfair treatment/harassment and discrimination also being significant obstacles, particularly in certain regions. Discussion would also be held on these issues in the Summit. 

The ILO and Gallup had interviewed 149,000 women and men of 142 countries in 2016 to know the view regarding the issue of job and women. According to the survey, clear division among many countries of the world is still seen at a time when gender equality has not been achieved yet, but this shows that traditional division between women and men would not exist as always. 

In the survey, of the participated 70 per cent female and 66 per cent males wished for women to their involvement in paid works. The percent was more than doubled who had wished women's only involvement in non paid work like household. The participants said that they could easily accept if their women family members involve in paid job. 

Similarly, most of the participants have said that the managing time for job and family was most challenging to women in most of the areas. 

The participated members shared that the income generated from the paid work by women is a part of income source for the family. It is stated that there was challenge to women employees in most of the areas in almost all countries and working field. 

It is expected that different sectors will be made active to ensure golden future of women in working place. 

The ILO has further expected that this conference will also be helpful to prepare the standard for upcoming 2018 and 2019 conferences. 

The ILO is marking 100th anniversary in 2019. RSS 

 
• bidya devi bhandari
 
• international labor organization