A parallel event on the margins of the 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women
The objective of the parallel event is to raise awareness about C-190, gain insights into the progress on ratification, implementation efforts following ratification and to generate collective advocacy and momentum to advance ratification. The session will facilitate a comprehensive dialogue among speakers representing Member States policymakers, the ILO , trade unions, private sector, and civil society organizations (specifically focusing on informal sector workers) followed by breakout sessions to strategize on collective efforts to advance ratification.
Date, time, and location: March 17, 8:30 am – 10:30 am, EDT Via Zoom
Organizer: NGO Coalition to End Violence and Harassment in the World of Work (ILO C-190)
Co-Sponsors: NGO Committee on Migration, NGO Committee on Finance for Development, NGO Committee on Social Development, NGO Committee to Stop Trafficking in Persons
The International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 190 (C-190) on Violence and Harassment is the first international treaty to unequivocally affirm the right of every person to a world of work free from violence and harassment, including gender-based violence, in both formal and informal sectors. Since its adoption in 2019, C-190 has provided a robust and comprehensive framework for addressing workplace violence through prevention, protection, enforcement, and remedies. To date, 49 countries (status of ratification) have ratified the Convention, yet the path to universal adoption remains a critical challenge.
However, ratification alone is not sufficient. It must be followed by full implementation of C-190 and its accompanying Recommendation 206, supported by the allocation of adequate financial, and institutional resources A recent ILO report1 highlighted that over one in five workers worldwide experience violence
and harassment in their workplaces—an issue that deeply affects individuals, businesses, and societies at large. The rise of digitalization and rapidly evolving work conditions are exacerbating these risks, making immediate action even more urgent. Addressing Violence and Harassment (V&H) in the workplace
demands a multifaceted approach, one that integrates Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) measures, national legal frameworks, and the power of collective bargaining to effectively prevent, respond to, and mitigate these pervasive issues.
In this context, the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW 69) emerges as a critical juncture to drive forward discussions on the implementation of C-190. This session offers a vital opportunity to showcase best practices, confront challenges head-on, and seize opportunities to accelerate the ratification and enforcement of C-190 globally ensuring a safer and more just working environment for all.
The NGO Coalition to End Violence and Harassment in the World of Work is organizing this pivotal session to showcase the progress being made on the ratification and implementation of ILO Convention No. 190 and to galvanize momentum for grassroots advocacy to advance ratification. The session will bring together key stakeholders—government representatives, civil society organizations, trade unions, employers, and international organizations—to engage in strategic dialogue and collective action aimed at achieving a world of work free from violence and harassment. This session will be a critical platform for driving coordinated efforts and advancing the global agenda for safe, decent, and equitable workplaces for all.
The event will aim to build on the findings from the Coalition’s previous sessions on the topic and from the Multi-stakeholder Interactive Dialogue and strategy session organized by The NGO Coalition on September 8, 2021, as well as its advocacy letter endorsed by 1155 civil society organizations and submitted to UN Member States. ( Strategy Document: LINK; Advocacy Letter: LINK)
Format: The format of the session will be panel presentations (50 minutes) followed by breakout sessions (40 minutes) and reconvening to share recommendations for action and wrap-up (30 minutes).
Speakers:
• Ms. Pamela Gana Cornejo, Superintendent of Social Security, Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Government of Chile
• Dr Arshad Mehmood, Secretary, Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and HRD, Government of Pakistan
• Ms. Chidi King, Director, Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (GEDI) Branch, ILO, Geneva
• Ms. Irem Arf, Policy Advisor, Equality Department, International Trade Union Confederation
• Sister Rashim Bedi, Senior Coordinator, Self Employment Women Association (SEWA).
Moderator: Anita Thomas, Convener, NGO Coalition to End Violence and Harassment in the World of Work; Chair, NGO Committee on Financing for Development
Breakout session co-leads: Liana Alimony, Chair, NGO Committee on Social Development; Cecilie Kern, Chair, NGO Committee on Migration; Jackie Shapiro, Chair Emeritus, NGO Committee to Stop Trafficking in Persons; Alexia Gaub, Member-at-large, NGO Committee on Social Development; Janet Palafox, Vice-Chair, NGO Committee on FfD; Maria Fornella, Past-Chair, NGO Committee on Social Development