Gender inequality remains a significant obstacle to effective trade union governance across Africa. Women continue to be underrepresented in leadership positions and decision-making structures, despite their substantial presence in the workforce. This imbalance undermines the democratic nature of trade unions and limits their capacity to advocate for decent work conditions for all workers.

The situation is particularly acute in the informal economy, where women workers face disproportionate levels of gender-based violence and harassment.

The Cotonou Declaration
Adopted in August 2024, the Cotonou Declaration represents a landmark commitment by African trade unions to address structural gender inequalities. The declaration affirms the movement’s determination to transform internal governance structures, strengthen women’s leadership capabilities, and combat gender-based violence in the workplace and within union organizations.
One year after its adoption, the regional webinar provided an opportunity to measure progress against these commitments and identify areas requiring accelerated action.

Assessing Progress and Challenges
The webinar focused on examining concrete steps taken by national and regional trade union organizations to integrate gender equality into their policies, programs, and governance structures. Participatory Gender Audits (PGAs) have emerged as valuable tools, enabling unions to identify gaps in gender representation, challenge discriminatory practices, and develop targeted corrective measures.

However, significant challenges persist. Women continue to face barriers to accessing leadership positions, with institutional resistance to change remaining a common obstacle. Additional concerns include unequal participation in collective bargaining processes and insufficient implementation of gender-responsive policies across union structures. These realities underscore the need for stronger accountability mechanisms, sustained capacity building, and renewed political commitment at all levels.

Combating Gender-Based Violence
A central focus of the webinar was trade union strategies to address gender-based violence and harassment in the world of work. Discussions centered on promoting and implementing ILO Convention No. 190 through advocacy campaigns, awareness-raising initiatives, collective bargaining, and engagement with governments and employers.
Trade unions increasingly recognize that addressing gender-based violence is essential not only for worker protection but also for enabling women’s full participation in both trade union activities and the broader labor market. The webinar emphasized the importance of prevention strategies, survivor-centered approaches, and the role of unions as safe and inclusive spaces for all members.

Moving Forward
One year after the Cotonou Declaration, the message from the regional gathering is clear: while progress has been made, the pace of change must accelerate. Achieving gender justice within African trade unions requires sustained leadership, inclusive governance structures, and concrete action across all organizational levels.

Through this regional exchange, ITUC-Africa and CNV Internationaal reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that women’s voices, leadership, and rights remain central to trade union development and renewal in Africa.