A Charter for working women in Africa

The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) in cooperation with the International Chemical Energy Mine Workers Union (ICEM), held a three day workshop in Accra - Ghana, for women of the Regional Women Conference of ICEM in Africa. The workshop was to enable the women to develop a Charter for working women in Africa. This was in recognition of the fact that trade unions are still not free of patriarchal vestiges and discriminatory practices pervade the work environment. Inequalities still persist in the world of work as well as in trade unions. Ignoring women's potential and marginalising their capacity and contributions mean a loss of resources in organisations which are supposed to be based on solidarity.
Sexism and women's dependency on men bolster the spread of HIV. The feminization of AIDS is closely related to women's low status, harsh living conditions and poverty. Gender-sensitive and women-focused approaches are needed to halt the spread of HIV/AIDS. The workshop provided a forum for the women to share ideas and experiences regarding their specific country situations and the challenges they face as working women. They were able to brainstorm on the main challenges they are faced with and proposed solutions. The workshop enabled the women to produce a charter which is expected to serve as an advocacy tool to improve the wellbeing of working women in the mining sector in Africa.