During the training, participants explored how ergonomic, chemical, and psychosocial risks can disproportionately impact women depending on their specific job, industry, and sector. Examples of this are the exposure to multiple chemicals in certain beauty industry jobs such as manicurists and hairdressers, musculoskeletal risks from lifting heavy patients in the care sector, plus stress and anxiety from experiencing sexual harassment across various sectors.
Over the course of the workshop, the participants also gained knowledge and tools to prevent and respond to violence and harassment, including gender-based violence and sexual harassment. They learned to develop and implement action plans within their unions to address these issues and incorporate a gender perspective into their strategies.
The training highlighted the importance of recognizing the unique challenges faced by women in all sectors using uniforms or individual protection equipment not designed for them, or in feminized sectors such as healthcare, cleaning, education, public services, and commerce in which the labour market often mirrors traditional gender roles that result in social consequences for female workers.
At the workshop in Madrid, it was put forward that integrating a gender perspective is essential for creating a safer and more equitable work environment for all. By raising awareness, sharing best practices, and planning future actions, this training course served to empower the trade union movement to better represent and protect the diverse needs of the workers it represents.
ETUI Education offers courses on:
- Leadership and capacity building for trade union women leaders: Starts in September
- Gender Transformative Approach for Trade Unions: Starts in November
For more details about contents and deadlines check out the ETUI Education website.
