ASMAA FAHTI

Cairo- ILO Convention 190 (C190) is the first international treaty to recognize the right of everyone to a world of work free from violence and harassment, including gender-based violence and harassment. The convention was adopted in June 2019, by the International Labour Conference of the International Labour Organization (ILO), and came into force on 25 June 2021. Governments that ratify C190 are required to put in place the necessary laws and policy measures to prevent and address violence and harassment in the world of work. Egyptian women demand the ratification of the convention protecting women from gender-based violence and harassment in the workplace.

 ‘I remained silent’

Nahed Mohammed Al-Melegy of the Adult Education Authority, confirmed that Egyptian women are subjected to violence and harassment in all facets of life. “I was insulted at work simply because I disagreed with a male colleague. He threatened me by saying, ‘If you were a man, I would cut your stomach in half with a knife and I wouldn't let you leave here.’ I thought about filing a complaint but I remained silent because of pressure at work. Women need a safe workplace to work and be creative.”

‘The convention supports women’

Amal Saqr of the Edraak Foundation for Development and Equality, thinks that ILO Convention 190 is important because the ratified countries have to create a world of work free from violence and harassment, with a focus on protecting vulnerable groups and achieving gender equality. In Egypt, women are subjected to all forms of violence in the workplace. Egypt must ratify the convention to prevent gender-based violence in the workplace because the convention supports women.

‘The laws are not implemented’

Recalling that Egypt has many laws protecting women from violence, she said, “However, these laws are not implemented. One of my friends was subjected to violence and marginalization by one of her colleagues. Then, she was fired. She could not protect her rights and faced financial difficulties. The convention must be ratified to protect women and support women's participation in the labor force.”

‘Women face many rights violations’

Fateh Sobhi, Egyptian journalist focused on human rights issues and women's issues, thinks that Egyptian women are subjected to discrimination in all facets of life. “The violations faced by women in their workplace related to birth and child care should be immediately eliminated. Women journalists also face violence, psychological blackmail and rights violations.”

 Speaking about the wage gap between men and women journalists, she said, “Women journalists are paid less for the same job. Women journalists remain silent against rights violations because they are afraid of being slandered, stigmatized or fired. Egypt should ratify ILO Convention 190 to prevent rights violations faced by women in the workplace.”

‘Women urgently need the ratification of the convention’

“Women need the ratification of C190 more than before,” said May Saleh, Director of the Women, Work and Economic Rights Program at the New Woman Foundation. “Women face various violations in different business sectors. Women working in tourism and hotel management, customer service and at airports are subjected to violence, harassment. Their rights are restricted. Egypt must ratify the convention to protect women’s rights in the workplace.”