admin Women’s economic development is an Jobs & Public Services engine of growth, said Christina McAnea, General Secretary of UNISON, during a side event at CSW69 titled Advancing Women’s Economic Empowerment: Facilitating Business-Led Solutions to Achieving Gender Equality. Organized by the UK government as part of the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69), the event focused on strategies to empower women economically.
The Role of Jobs & Public Services
McAnea highlighted the structural challenges faced by women workers in the public sector and urged governments worldwide to adopt concrete policies that support their employment and financial stability. While the private sector contributes to job creation, she stressed that public services play a critical role in enabling women’s economic empowerment.
PSI is working with governments and, where possible, with businesses, to improve the status of essential public service providers. The majority of these workers are women. Supporting them is crucial because we know that when women thrive economically, economies grow, she stated.
The Failure of Voluntary Corporate Responsibility
McAnea also criticized the ineffectiveness of voluntary corporate commitments to gender equality.
We need global recognition that voluntary agreements alone are not enough. It’s clear that relying on them hasn’t worked well,” she said.
PSI has long argued that corporate social responsibility (CSR), when not enforced through regulations, has failed to bring real change to women’s working conditions Jobs & Public Services.
Voluntary corporate responsibility has largely failed. If we look at the reality for women and girls in the workplace, it’s evident that we need stronger action. Governments, including the UK, must push for a binding international treaty to hold businesses accountable for human rights, McAnea argued.
The Need for Fair Taxation to Support Women’s Rights
According to McAnea, real corporate responsibility can only be achieved through strong regulations, adequate funding, and enforcement mechanisms.Jobs & Public Services She emphasized that ensuring financial resources for women’s rights initiatives brings the discussion back to taxation.
If we want corporate responsibility to be meaningful and enforceable, we must ensure there are enough financial resources to support it. And that leads us directly to taxation, she explained.
She urged governments to demand higher contributions from large corporations to fund public policies that support working women.
Without a fair tax system, we cannot maintain quality public services or guarantee decent jobs for women. If corporate responsibility is to be effectively integrated into governance, we need the resources to sustain it—and that means fair taxation, she concluded.
Why This Matters: The Realities Women Face
Before we dive into the demands, let’s look at the problems. Women often work in low-paying jobs, especially in sectors like care work, cleaning, and retail. These jobs are often insecure, with little job security or chance for advancement. They also face discrimination and harassment, which can hold them back from reaching their full potential Jobs & Public Services.
On top of this, women often carry a heavier burden of unpaid care work, looking after children, elderly family members, or those with disabilities. This unpaid work limits their ability to earn a living and participate fully in the workforce Jobs & Public Services.
Public services, like childcare, Jobs & Public Services healthcare, and elder care, are vital for supporting women’s economic participation. When these services are underfunded or privatized, it places even more pressure on women to fill the gaps, further limiting their opportunities
The Road Ahead: Taking Action
Achieving these demands will require a collective effort. Governments, employers, trade unions, and civil society organizations all have a role to play.
Governments: Must enact and enforce laws that promote gender equality in the workplace and invest in public services.
Employers: Must commit to fair pay, secure contracts, and safe workplaces.
Trade Unions: Must organize and represent women workers, advocating for their rights and needs.
Civil Society Organizations: Must raise awareness about gender inequality and support women’s empowerment.
Individuals: Must challenge gender stereotypes and support women’s leadership.
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