The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has called for a transformative agenda for gender equality to remove the prevailing male-dominated power structures.
Gilbert Houngbo, the director-general of ILO, made the call in a message to commemorate the 2023 International Women’s Day (IWD) on Wednesday.
The global theme for this is “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality”.
Mr Houngbo said, “If we don’t change direction, it will take over a century for women to have the same economic and social opportunities as men.
“The multiple, overlapping, political, economic, and social crises we are grappling with have worsened inequalities for all, especially for women and girls – particularly those already in vulnerable situations.
“We are in a time of enormous change. We can leverage this change to improve opportunities and promote equal rights.”
He said that the ILO, with its constituents, was working to make it a reality, both with policies and actions.
“This is an essential step on the road towards social justice for all,” he added.
According to him, the ILO calls for a transformative agenda that should focus on four main areas: equal opportunities in the workplace; equal pay for work of equal value; equal sharing of unpaid care and domestic work; and zero tolerance for violence and harassment.
“Technology can play a key role in achieving gender equality. By creating new jobs, and improving productivity, technology can help to increase economic growth and social development. But it can also amplify existing inequalities,” he said.
Mr Houngbo said that the ILO was committed to working with partners to ensure that innovation and technology helped to reduce gender inequalities and empower women and girls.