On March 8 each year, the General Union of Workers marks International Women’s Day for both wage earners and non-wage earners. It is a date that not only celebrates the progress women have made but also serves as a platform to continue calling out the inequalities and discrimination that persist today. Despite advances in equality, the organization’s aim through dialogue and social consensus remains equality, because it is not theirs alone and shared responsibility is essential.
Across the country, many administrations will raise banners this week, yet some messages may not align with actions taken to advance gender equality. It can be contradictory to champion equality while deconstructing councils dedicated to equality or trimming budgets that fund essential equality initiatives. Partnerships with political groups that do not see coeducation as a vehicle for teaching respect and equal values, and for preventing gender-based violence, also show misalignment with the broader goal. It is noted that violence, including the denial of its existence by some right-wing voices, remains a serious challenge.
There is a call for shorter rhetoric and a focus on real data: 58 women were murdered in 2023, and by the 68th day of 2024, five more women have fallen to gender-based violence.
For the union, it is crucial to acknowledge the gains achieved through social dialogue among workers, civil society, and government. Milestones such as raising the minimum wage, the 2021 labor reform, and the expansion and creation of new parental leave are viewed as steps that support shared responsibility. These measures are seen as essential to narrowing the wage and opportunity gaps for women and men in the labor market.
Nevertheless, many challenges remain. Equal pay is only the starting point. There is a need to ensure that women have access to dignified, safe, and well-paid jobs across all sectors. This requires policies that promote shared responsibility in work and home life, access to childcare services, and other supports that enable women to participate fully in the workforce. Increasing the representation of women in leadership roles and decision-making positions is still insufficient, underscoring the necessity of proactive efforts to engage women at all levels of society.
It is important to remember that fighting for and implementing equality policies is necessary to transform society and continue advancing social and labor rights for citizens. Together, women and men must build a fairer and more equal future for both current generations and those to come.