Gender Equality Must Become a Fight for Everyone in the Union, Says IFJ as It Marks International Women’s Day

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today called on journalists’ unions to make a commitment to gender equity as it joined the International Confederation of Trade Unions (ITUC) in its launch of the Worldwide Campaign for Decent Work, Decent Life for Women.

“The ITUC’s latest survey on the world gender pay gap reveals that women earn 16% less than their male colleagues,” says IFJ General Secretary Aidan White. “Journalism tends to become more and more feminine. The lack of recognition of women’s rights and their access to leadership positions is an objective to be addressed urgently if we want to make a difference.”

The campaign, which is supported by more than 50 trade unions around the world, advocates decent work for women and gender equality in labour policies and collective agreements. It also aims to increase significantly women’s membership and leadership in unions.

Many IFJ affiliates are celebrating International Women’s Day, March 8, by running seminars and workshops on women in the media.

“Some journalists’ unions put the issue of gender portrayal in the news in their agenda to mark women’s day,” said White. “This is of the utmost importance if we want to provide our readers and viewers with a fair and objective image of women.”

While gender equality has been a long –standing fight in journalists’ unions in the world, the IFJ hopes to make it part of the general objectives in the unions.

“Gender equality will only be achieved when it is mainstreamed in all unions’ activities and when male colleagues get involved in the debate,” White said. “To make a difference, gender equality must become a fight for everyone in the union and not be considered only as a women’s issue.”

For more information contact the IFJ at + 32 2 235 2207
The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 120 countries worldwide

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