Promoting workers’ rights and gender equality at work in Africa- Phase II

The Promoting Workers’ Rights and Gender Equality at Work in Africa – Phase II project proposal builds on the first-year pilot phase to expand knowledge and capacity-building efforts for constituents in Africa. The project's focus is on the six countries from the pilot phase (Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda, and Ghana), and upscale activities for consolidation and sustainability of results. The project aims to strengthen the capacities of constituents to promote workers' rights, gender equality, and non-discrimination, contributing to social justice and decent work for all. Project targets to achieve this by addressing gaps in constituents’ participation in the ILO International Labour Standards (ILS) supervisory system, providing support and mentorships to constituents to meet reporting obligations in respect of ratified fundamental conventions and the annual review, as applicable, initiating ratification campaigns for key gender equality-related conventions and protocols, building constituents’ capacities on Equality@Work topics, fundamental rights of freedom of association and collective bargaining, piloting workplace initiatives in targeted sectors. While promoting the responsible participation of workers organisations in the ILS System including their comments on ratified conventions and protocols to be reported in 2025, outcome 1 is included in training activities other 9 countries part of the Phase1. Special focus has been put on promoting disability inclusion. The project focuses on two main outcomes that work in tandem i.e. Outcome 1: Workers’ organisations are effectively enabled to advocate for national ratification and application of ILS and use the ILO supervisory mechanisms for full compliance with a focus in promoting gender equality; and Outcome 2: Constituents are fully equipped to create a conducive environment for gender equality in targeted sectors through the implementation of Equality@Work initiatives. The project strategy is designed to install and deliver capacity development, empowerment and support to trade unionists, including women and youth, in their advocacy and action work, and to design and implement Equality@Work initiatives, including through the effective realization of the fundamental rights of freedom of association and collective bargaining. Such actions target selected countries and sectors with the ultimate goal to advance a transformative agenda for gender equality in the world of work by preventing and addressing violence and harassment and promoting a well-functioning and robust care economy that fosters gender equality and decent work and addresses discrimination at its roots. ACTRAV and GEDI are the responsible department to manage and implement the project in collaboration with other units at HQ and field level.

Project symbol

RAF/24/10/NOR

Admin unit

ACTRAV
GEDI

Start date

01/01/2025

End date

31/03/2026

Total allocation

901539

Total expenditure

Status

Closed

888101

Development Partners

Norway, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Country/Countries

Malawi
Ethiopia
Africa - regional

Outcomes

Outcome 5: Gender equality and equality of treatment and opportunities for all
Outcome 2: Strong, representative and influential tripartite constituents and effective social dialogue