By Michael Oche
As the world marks International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025, the African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa) has called for urgent action to dismantle structural barriers that continue to hinder gender equality across the continent.
In a statement issued from Lomé, Togo by General Secretary, Akhator Joel Odigie, ITUC-Africa reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the rights and empowerment of women and girls, emphasizing the need for concrete policies and systemic reforms to address deep-rooted inequalities in workplaces, economies, and societies.
Odigie reaffirms ITUC-Africa’s commitment to fighting for women’s rights and building a society where everyone can live and work with dignity, free from discrimination and violence.
The regional organisation highlighted multiple crises affecting women, including economic inequality, violent conflicts, climate disasters, and gender-based violence. It noted that African women remain disproportionately impacted by insecurity, illicit financial flows, and economic downturns, which limit their access to social protection, fair wages, and decision-making spaces.
“In many conflict zones, women suffer from sexual violence, forced displacement, and loss of economic opportunities, further exacerbating their vulnerabilities,” the statement read.
Odigie called on governments across Africa to significantly increase investments in social protection programs, ensuring that women, particularly those in informal and precarious employment, are adequately covered.
ITUC-Africa also drew attention to the economic burden women bear, especially in the informal economy, where they often face precarious working conditions and lack access to social protection. The rising cost of living, driven by inflation, has further worsened the situation, pushing more women and girls into poverty.
The trade union body called on African governments to implement policies that prioritize women’s economic empowerment by ensuring access to fair wages, universal healthcare, maternity protection, and childcare support.
“Expanding social protection will help mitigate the adverse effects of inflation, economic shocks, and insecurity on women and their families,” ITUC-Africa stated.
A key concern raised in the statement was the urgent need to tackle gender-based violence, both in homes and workplaces. ITUC-Africa applauded the African Union’s adoption of the Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls and urged governments to ratify and implement it alongside the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Convention 190 on Violence and Harassment in the World of Work.
“We must equip women and girls with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to take control of their futures,” the organization stated, emphasizing the importance of enforcing laws that protect women from all forms of discrimination and violence.
He said, “ITUC-Africa calls on governments to significantly increase investments in social protection programs, ensuring that women, particularly those in informal and precarious employment, are adequately covered. Expanding social protection will help mitigate the adverse effects of inflation, economic shocks, and insecurity on women and their families.”
