Jotika Sharma, chair of the International Trade Union Congress (ITUC), is urging women to become involved in trade unions, emphasizing that their participation can significantly improve working conditions for the labor force.
Speaking during a panel discussion at the Women’s Forum at the 2024 CHOGM Samoa on Monday, Sharma reflected on her own experiences in a predominantly male trade movement. She initiated the formation of women’s working committees across various unions in Fiji to advocate for better working conditions.
“I realized we needed more women to support the changes I wanted to implement,” Sharma stated. She explained that the establishment of women’s committees in different unions aimed to empower women to voice their concerns from the grassroots level, including within factories and enterprises, while also aiming to elevate those voices to the national level.
Sharma acknowledged the challenges of altering perceptions, particularly among men, but noted that there is still work to be done in achieving full acceptance.