On the occasion of the fifty-first anniversary of the international day of African women, ITUC-Africa commends the courage and determination of all African women, especially those who are fighting for the survival of the African trade union movement. It is committed to supporting the efforts of these women and fighting jointly with them to defend their rights and rise against the violence they experience.

Since the early 1980s, with the implementation of development policies in Africa, the feminization of poverty has become a trap in many countries. The current global economic crisis has also hit African women hard and its consequences on girls are particularly severe.

In the current context of feminization of poverty, the vicious circle is becoming wider and women’s conditions are more and more precarious. In Africa, poverty has actually a female face and African women are marginalized economically,
culturally, ethnically, politically and financially because of poverty.

Further, violence against women is widespread, causing a lot casualties among them. In the world, 7 out of 10 women are victims of violence in one way or another in their lifetime. There are several forms of violence - physical, sexual, economic and psychological - and all of them represent a violation of human dignity and human rights. These forms of violence have long-term consequences on the victims and their communities.

The African Women’s Day should be an important opportunity to advocate for and contribute to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals and the eradication of discrimination based on sex. It is very important to promote the development of the continent.

ITUC-Africa encourages African women to continue struggling and to reclaim their rights.