How can women benefit from green jobs? an ILO approach

Transcription

1 How can women benefit from green jobs? an ILO approach European Parliament, Women s and Gender Equality Committee 27 February 2012 Irene Wintermayr Policy Officer, ILO Brussels

2 I.Key messages II.Introduction Green Jobs at ILO and the importance of gender equality in the Green Jobs III.Main issues of gender and green jobs in selected areas IV.Obstacles facing women and actions needed to promote Gender Equality in Green Jobs

3 Key messages The green economy does not provide more opportunities for women by default Opportunities for women through a just transition that is socially inclusive and addresses gender inequality

4 A Gender approach makes a difference Thailand Scarlett Chidgey/Advocacy Project Uganda, Kinawataka Women Initiatives

5 What are green jobs? Decent Jobs Reduce environmental impact

6 Introduction to Green Jobs at the ILO

7 Gender Inequality: the Facts Gender pay gap: women earn 75% of men s average wages (ILO Wage report 2010/2011) Less than 1% of the world s property owned by women (UNDP 2011) 70% those that earn less than $1 a day are women (UNDP 2011)

8 In which sectors do women work? in more developed countries and Latin America & Carribean countries ¾ in Services Sector Less represented in science and technology

9 In which sectors do women work? Many women work in agriculture In Subsaharan Africa and South Asia more than 60% (ILO 2012)

10 Consequences of status quo women will lose out in terms of employment 80% of jobs related to green technologies to be created in secondary sector (industry/manufacturing) women will lose out in terms of training opportunities, new skills

11 Consequences in developing countries Women will be strongly affected by climate change and environmental degradation

12 What ILO proposes in order for women to benefit from green jobs just transition which is socially inclusive addresses gender inequality

13 Just Transition Framework Assessing the social, employment and gender impact of green policies Access to social protection Social Dialogue Providing skills and training Entrepreneurship/Sustainable Enterprises

14 Areas with job opportunities Adapation Green Enterprises Renewable Energies Waste Management & Recycling

15 Waste Management & Recycling Often hazardous work in the informal economy Cooperatives as a business model that allows work to be formalised

16 Renewable Energies Renewable Energies growing sector 20% of employees in energy related field are women Women = untapped potential to address skill shortages

17 ILO tools Greening Enterprises and Gender Women s Entrepreneurship Development tools: GET AHEAD training package on gender and entrepreneurship (e.g. used by Grameen Shakti to train female solar entrepreneurs ) ILO Sustainable Enterprises Framework

18 Summary obstacles for women Obstacles mostly the same as in the brown economy lack of access to formal education lack of access to finance and resources lack of being involved in decision making Attitudes, traditional roles and responsibilities Poor skills development in sectors of green growth Limited involvement with the formal economy

19 Actions needed (1) Adopt a just transition framework Targeted support to green entrepreneurial initiatives/businesses propelled by women Ensure social dialogue and women s participation Gender mainstreaming in green jobs Support training and skills for women

20 Actions needed (2) Address gender inequality in the science and technology education and professional fields (e.g. through affirmative action, champions) Promote Women Economic Principles (WEP) Increase access to productive resources Support sustainable enterprises (e.g. via ILO Framework) Promote ratification of ILO Conventions

21 Thank you for your attention