Gender

Equality and Non-Discrimination
Gender justice must lie at the heart of business and human rights. Women workers are often the worst paid and treated; equally, women are an essential part of the solution.

Gender justice must lie at the heart of business and human rights. Women workers are often the worst paid and treated; women are often without land titles and dispossessed; and attacks on women who stand up to abusive business are on the rise. Equally, women are an essential part of the solution: for instance, their struggle for decent work and a living wage facilitates so many other key rights such as to housing, and the rights to health and education. Women are also organised – around pay discrimination, #MeToo in the workplace, and land rights, for instance.

Individuals of all genders can face discrimination for their identity; this includes individuals who are transgender, who are nonbinary, and/or who do not fit into traditional gender roles.

There is growing attention to ensure gender equality in business and human rights. While this is encouraging, it is vital that this movement recognises and values the voices and leadership of women and accounts for their multiple roles as human rights defenders, food producers, workers and caregivers.

For more information, see the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre’s gender portal.

Pinned Articles

Hospitality unveiled: Hotels’ due diligence in the wake of criminalisation of sexual minorities in Uzbekistan

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, to which Uzbekistan has been party since 1995. And yet Uzbekistan is still categorised as a Consolidated Authoritarian regime, according to Freedom House's 2023 annual...

Keep Quiet or Leave: Workplace Sexual Harassment in Bulgaria

The aim of the post is to show the silence behind sexual harassment in Bulgaria, the lack of data and legal system that discourages victims to report, whilst companies act as if sexual harassment does not exist.

Global unions commemorate ILO C190 coming into force by launching toolkit to address violence and harassment in the world of work

As the International Labour Organization Convention 190 on violence and harassment in the world of work comes into force on 25 June 2021, global unions are launching a toolkit to support the Convention 190 (C190) and its Recommendation 206 (R206). The manual will provide thousands of unions around the world with critical tools for the fight to eradicate violence and harassment in the world of work.

Gender Lens to the UNGPs: Good Practice in Croatia and North Macedonia

The objective of the project Fostering Business and human rights principles, is to support the economic and social rights in the business sector in Macedonia through the application of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Businesses and Human Rights (UNGPs). The MAMFORCE METHOD© is a strategic tool aimed at changing the organisational culture and assisting companies in creating a supportive and inclusive work environment based on open communication, trust and appreciation of differences.

Latest Articles

How Can Businesses Impact Human Rights?

How Can Businesses Impact Human Rights?

This concise table includes a summary list of internationally recognized human rights, provides a short explanation of each right, and offers examples of how business activities could impact the right.

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A breakthrough for human rights is needed after 30 years of the EBRD: Case Studies from Uzbekistan, Georgia, Armenia, and Bosnia

A breakthrough for human rights is needed after 30 years of the EBRD: Case Studies from Uzbekistan, Georgia, Armenia, and Bosnia

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) stands out among multilateral development banks with the commitment of its shareholding countries to the fundamental principles of democracy and respect for human rights. As the EBRD celebrates its 30th anniversary, it is a perfect moment to reflect on the Bank’s track record, human rights policy framework and operational approach.

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Global unions commemorate ILO C190 coming into force by launching toolkit to address violence and harassment in the world of work

Global unions commemorate ILO C190 coming into force by launching toolkit to address violence and harassment in the world of work

As the International Labour Organization Convention 190 on violence and harassment in the world of work comes into force on 25 June 2021, global unions are launching a toolkit to support the Convention 190 (C190) and its Recommendation 206 (R206). The manual will provide thousands of unions around the world with critical tools for the fight to eradicate violence and harassment in the world of work.

read more
Mine Site Assessment Tool

Mine Site Assessment Tool

Based on wide-ranging testing and consultation, this set of questions is intended as a starting point to constructive engagement at any mine site, big or small, and for local communities, civil society, workers, trade unions, local government and others wishing to engage in a constructive way on what one can reasonably expect from mine sites in most environments.

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Gender Lens to the UNGPs: Good Practice in Croatia and North Macedonia

Gender Lens to the UNGPs: Good Practice in Croatia and North Macedonia

The objective of the project Fostering Business and human rights principles, is to support the economic and social rights in the business sector in Macedonia through the application of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Businesses and Human Rights (UNGPs). The MAMFORCE METHOD© is a strategic tool aimed at changing the organisational culture and assisting companies in creating a supportive and inclusive work environment based on open communication, trust and appreciation of differences.

read more
First Regional Forum on Business and Human Rights in Eastern Europe and Central Asia: Key problems and opportunities

First Regional Forum on Business and Human Rights in Eastern Europe and Central Asia: Key problems and opportunities

Business reluctance to engage with human rights issues was a common theme during the First Regional Forum on Business and Human Rights in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Across the region – which includes the Balkans and the Caucasus – representatives from governments, businesses and civil society expressed a general lack of willingness to work on business and human rights.

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