Statement by Abigail Moyo, spokesperson of the trade union UASA:

UASA is proud to be associated with FEDUSA and its tireless work through the Convention 190 (C190) CAN campaign to get government to ratify the convention.

This morning, the formal instrument and domestication of C190 was handed over to the International Labour Organization (ILO) by the Minister of Employment and Labour, Mr. Thulas Nxesi, at the Garden Court Hotel, OR Tambo International Airport.

At the event, FEDUSA welcomed government’s ratification of C190, which deals with ILO’s convention concerning the prevention and elimination of violence and harassment in the world of work.

By ratifying C190, South Africa joins Uruguay, Fiji, Namibia, Argentina, Somalia, and Ecuador who have already done so.

UASA on many instances supported FEDUSA’s calls for government to ratify C190 to protect women against violence and harassment in the workplace and at home, including children.

Harassment and violence against women have become a second pandemic following Covid-19 in South Africa.

According to Statistics South Africa, nearly 3 000 women were murdered in 2017/2018; many by family, friends or men that were close to them. Many of these women were not just murdered, but suffered traumatic and torturous deaths, experiencing the rape, mutilation and terror that have become a real fear for every woman in South Africa. The numbers show a woman was murdered every 3 hours during that period.

As we observe the 16 Days of Activism against harassment and gender-based violence (GBV), the C190 ratification comes at the right time as it will validate the fears of women all over South Africa.

South Africa must become a safe place for all. UASA encourages all stakeholders, business partners, NGOs, organisers and citizens to take this opportunity and work with government towards the observance of C190 and ensure that the ratification is respected by all.

 

Issued by UASA