how can women benefit from green jobs? – an ilo …...how can women benefit from green jobs? –a...
TRANSCRIPT
How can women benefit from green jobs? – an ILO approach
European Parliament,
Women’s and Gender Equality Committee 27 February 2012
Irene WintermayrPolicy Officer, ILO Brusselswww.ilo.org/greenjobs
I.Key
messagesII.Introduction Green Jobs at ILO and the
importance of gender equality in the Green Jobs
III.Main issues of gender and green jobs in selected areas
IV.Obstacles facing women and actions needed to promote Gender Equality in Green Jobs
Key messages
• The green economy does not provide more opportunities for women by default
• Opportunities for women through a just transition that is socially inclusive and
addresses gender inequality
A Gender approach makes a difference…
Scarlett Chidgey/Advocacy Project
Thailand
Uganda, Kinawataka Women Initiatives
What are green jobs?
• Decent Jobs
• Reduce environmental
impact
Introduction to Green Jobs at the ILO
Gender Inequality: the Facts
• Gender pay gap: women earn 75% of men’s average wages
(ILO Wage report 2010/2011)
• Less than 1% of the world’s property owned by women
(UNDP 2011)
• 70% those that earn less than $1 a day are women
(UNDP 2011)
In which sectors do women work?
in more developed countries and Latin America & Carribean countries
•¾ in Services Sector
•Less represented in science and technology
In which sectors do women work?
• Many women work in agriculture
• In Subsaharan Africa and South Asia more than 60%
(ILO 2012)
Consequences of status quo
• women will lose out in terms of employment – 80% of jobs related to
green technologies to be created in secondary sector (industry/manufacturing)
• women will lose out in terms of training opportunities, new skills
Consequences in developing countries
Women will be strongly affected by climate changeand environmental degradation
What ILO proposes in order for women to benefit from green jobs
• just transition which is–socially inclusive–addresses gender
inequality
Just Transition Framework
• Assessing the social, employment and gender impact of green policies
• Access to social protection
• Social Dialogue
• Providing skills and training
• Entrepreneurship/Sustainable Enterprises
Areas with job opportunities
Adapation Green Enterprises
Waste Management & RecyclingRenewable Energies
Waste Management & Recycling
• Often hazardous work in the
informal economy
• Cooperatives as a business model that
allows work to be formalised
Renewable Energies
• Renewable Energies growing sector
• 20% of employees in energy related field are
women
• Women = untapped potential to address skill shortages
ILO tools Greening Enterprises and Gender
• Women’s Entrepreneurship Development tools:– GET AHEAD – training package on gender and
entrepreneurship (e.g. used by Grameen Shakti to train female solar entrepreneurs )
• ILO Sustainable Enterprises Framework
Summary obstacles for women
• Obstacles mostly the same as in the “brown economy”
– lack of access to formal education
– lack of access to finance and resources
– lack of being involved in decision‐making
–Attitudes, traditional roles and responsibilities
–Poor skills development in sectors of green growth
– Limited involvement with the formal economy
Actions needed (1)
• Adopt a just transition framework
• Targeted support to green entrepreneurial initiatives/businesses
propelled by women
• Ensure social dialogue and women’s participation
• Gender mainstreaming in green jobs
• Support training and skills for women
Actions needed (2)
• Address gender inequality in the science and technology education and professional fields (e.g. through affirmative action, champions)
• Promote Women Economic Principles (WEP)
• Increase access to productive resources• Support sustainable enterprises
(e.g. via ILO
Framework)
• Promote ratification of ILO Conventions