Women in Government
What happened in 1907?
This year marks the election of the first woman to the Finnish parliament, making history as the first woman in a national legislature.
What is 58.4%?
In 1967, women working full-time in Canada earned this percentage of what men earned.
What is the belief that unions promote "special interests"?
This perception about unions suggests that they contribute to rising manufacturing costs and prioritize the interests of their members over consumers.
What is the International Trade Union Confederation?
This global union formed in 2006 aims to unite workers worldwide and protect their rights against the pressures of globalization.
What are labour standards?
Protests at World Bank, IMF, or G8 meetings have primarily focused on this issue, which is crucial for protecting both workers and the environment.
Who was the first female to be elected in the House of Commons?
Agnes Macphail became the first woman elected to this Canadian legislative body in 1921.
What is pay equity?
This term refers to laws that require equal pay for work of equal value, aimed at correcting wage disparities between genders.
What is 12%?
In 2006, only this percentage of American workers were union members, a significant decline from 35% in the 1950s.
What are super-unions?
International unions are working to establish these larger organizations that transcend national boundaries and encompass various groups.
What are investor protections?
Activists argue that international institutions like the World Bank often prioritize these over worker rights.
What is Rwanda?
This country achieved the highest representation of women in its national legislature, reaching nearly 50% female parliamentarians.
What is 71.2%?
By 2003, women earned this percentage of what men earned, a figure that had remained largely unchanged since 1990.
What is 36%?
In Canada, the rate of union membership was nearly this percentage of the workforce in 1990, excluding agricultural workers.
What is poverty?
International unions focus on campaigns aimed at protecting fundamental human rights and eliminating this social issue affecting workers globally.
What is the International Labour Organization (ILO)?
This international organization has established four fundamental principles and rights at work that all countries are expected to uphold.
What is 50%?
By 2007, no national legislature in the world had achieved this percentage of female representation, despite women making up about half the global population.
What is 5.4%?
In 2006, only this percentage of the top earners at Canada's 500 largest corporations were women
What is outsourcing?
This term refers to the practice of shifting low-skill, low-paying jobs from developed countries to developing countries, contributing to the decline of union jobs.
What are wage gaps and disparities?
This concept refers to the significant differences in wages and quality of life that make workers vulnerable to globalization pressures.
What is the right to organize and engage in collective bargaining?
One of the fundamental principles established by the ILO, this right allows workers to form unions and collectively bargain.
What is the question regarding the underrepresentation of women in government?
This critical question highlights the disparity between women's population numbers and their representation in government: "If women make up roughly 50% of the population, why do you suppose they do not hold half the elected positions in government?" This reflects on the barriers women face in achieving political parity.
What is Catalyst Canada?
This organization, led by Deborah Gillis, conducted research highlighting the exclusion of women from key corporate leadership positions in Canada.
What are the national and international levels?
Despite declining membership, unions continue to exert power and influence at these two levels.
What is substantial power or unity?
The ongoing division among international unions highlights their struggle to achieve this, which would strengthen their influence and power globally.
What are codes of conduct?
Protesters have successfully influenced organizations to adopt these guidelines that govern corporate practices, emphasizing ethical operations.