‘An Overwhelming Majority of Women Are in the Informal Economy’

Only 50 per cent of working age women are represented in the labour force globally, compared to 76 per cent of men, UN Women reports. “What’s more, an overwhelming majority of women are in the informal economy, subsidising care and domestic work, and concentrated in lower-paid, lower-skill occupations with little or no social protection.” 

Thailand, 2015. Photo: UN Women/Pornvit Visitoran. | Lebanon, 2015. Photo: UN Women/Joe Saad | Kenya, 2016. Photo: CIAT/Georgina Smith, Source: UN Women

The 2017 theme for International Women’s Day, 8 March, focuses on “Women in the Changing World of Work: Planet 50-50 by 2030”.

The world of work is changing, with significant implications for women. On one hand, technological advances and globalisation bring unprecedented opportunities for those who can access them, UN Women adds.

On the other hand, there is growing informality of labour, income inequality and humanitarian crises. “Achieving gender equality in the world of work is imperative for sustainable development.”

The United Nations observance on 8 March will call upon all actors to Step It Up for Gender Equality towards a Planet 50-50 by 2030 by ensuring that the world of work works for all women.

The upcoming sixty-first session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW61), from 13 – 24 March, at UN Headquarters will deliberate on “Women’s economic empowerment in the changing world of work.” Read more»

UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka

On this, the UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, said “Across the world, too many women and girls spend too many hours on household responsibilities—typically more than double the time spent by men and boys…

“They look after younger siblings, older family members, deal with illness in the family and manage the house.

“In many cases this unequal division of labour is at the expense of women’s and girls’ learning, of paid work, sports, or engagement in civic or community leadership.

“This shapes the norms of relative disadvantage and advantage, of where women and men are positioned in the economy, of what they are skilled to do and where they will work.”

“We want to construct a different world of work for women. ..

“As they grow up, girls must be exposed to a broad range of careers, and encouraged to make choices that lead beyond the traditional service and care options to jobs in industry, art, public service, modern agriculture and science…” Read the full message»