Chaumtoli Huq
[dropcap]W[/dropcap]omen are entering the workforce in greater numbers, but they still shoulder a majority of the unpaid work at home.
At work, they are often denied equal pay for work and benefits such as affordable child-care and parenting leave that would allow them to fully participate at work. they are also still subjected to sexual violence and harassment. Whether they are garment workers in Bangladesh or workers in industrialized countries, women have not realized their full rights at work.
Factory level leaders Kamal of Sommolito Garment Sramik Federation and Sagor of Bangladesh Garment and Industrial Workers Federation (BGIWF) know how important it is for them, as men, to support women’s rights at the workplace. (Click here to hear their thoughts, especially on the importance of maternity leave benefits for their female colleagues.)
Inspired by these garment worker leaders in Bangladesh, Law@theMargins, Price of Silence and a growing list of partners are embarking on a consciousness raising effort to highlight the need for increased women’s rights at work, with a particular focus on paid parenting leave.
How to Help
Social media campaigns by themselves do not change the world, but they can help spark action through their education. For this reason, we are asking our friends, families, and allies to show their support for equal rights for women at the work place by doing the following:
Specifically:
- Watch this video by Kamal and Sagor at https://youtu.be/2N2D7XruzdM or take a look at this gallery of examples.
- Photograph yourself at work sharing a sign as to why and how you support women’s rights at work. Use #HerWorkHerRights and post it on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest. Use these templates or use the following phrases on your own pages: “I support women’s rights at work because ….”, “I support women’s rights at work by …..
- Share your story with us, in a one-minute video on why and how you are supporting women’s rights at work.
- Spread the word!!!
For questions about the campaign and how your group or organization can become involved, contact Law@theMargins.
The #HerWorkHerRight campaign is a collaboration with Price of Silence, which uses theater as an instrument to realize women’s human rights. For more information on their grassroots organizing work, visit http://priceofsilence.org.
