May 28, 2022 was the Global Day of Action for Women’s Health, also known as World Menstrual Hygiene Day. Faced with recent events, FO reaffirms its attachment to the fundamental rights of women, including the right to health, including in the world of work.
FO also expresses its horror at the existence in the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine of sexual violence as a weapon of war. FO calls for the establishment of specialized support services, including psychological, for the victims of this violence. FO is also concerned about the risks of human trafficking for women and girls fleeing the conflict in Ukraine and calls for full consideration of this risk in the new plan to combat illegal work 2022-2024.
In addition, FO denounces the regressions in Europe and in the world which oppose the right of women to dispose of their bodies. FO asks, alongside the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), to guarantee the fundamental rights of women and girls in terms of reproductive and sexual health services as well as respect for the right to abortion throughout Europe. Indeed, FO is concerned about the setbacks in this area in Europe, Poland, Malta and around the world, particularly across the Atlantic where the right to abortion is strongly questioned.
Trade unions fear consequences in terms of health and safety for pregnant women or in terms of inclusion and access to employment, particularly in low-wage sectors. FO is also concerned about the consequences that this debate could have on access to certain drugs or active ingredients produced abroad, in particular with regard to the abortion pill.
However, FO notes new reflections aimed at defending women’s right to health, such as the recent bill in Spain of May 17, 2022 aimed at recognizing menstrual leave in law, already recognized elsewhere in the world such as in Japan, in Zambia or Korea and occasionally implemented at company level in France or the United Kingdom.
FO recalls that women and men are born free and equal in rights and that it is time to put an end to all inequalities and discrimination in the world of work.
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