MORE than 40 women representing IndustriALL Global Union-affiliated unions in 15 African sectors have met in Mombasa, Kenya, to develop strategies for “a gender-responsive” just transition in economies to tackle the climate emergency, it was reported on Thursday.

The activists, from the automotive, chemical, energy, engineering, metals, mining, oil and gas, textile and garment and other manufacturing sectors, discussed the role that unions could play in helping to develop new economic models in sub-Saharan Africa that will be beneficial to women.

The participants insisted that any new economic models must tackle issues such as closing the gender pay gap, reducing gender inequality, stopping gender discrimination, providing job security to women through permanent work and offering childcare facilities and maternity protection. 

The workshop also highlighted how unpaid care work continues to keep women from seeking paid employment.

IndustriALL vice-president Rose Omamo said: “Women in sub-Saharan Africa are fighting patriarchy, discrimination and exclusion and are vulnerable to climate change. 

“It is for these reasons that a just transition framework that we will support in Africa will be that which includes the International Labour Organisation fundamental rights at work and the decent work agenda.”