PSI, together with FNV Mondiaal, brought together trade union affiliates from Tunisia, Egypt, and Iraq to advance our collective efforts in addressing gender-based violence (GBV) and harassment in the workplace. This initiative that started in 2020 has been making good progress in Egypt and Tunisia, and with Iraq joining the program in 2025, our reach and impact are set to expand even further.

The workshop facilitating by Mohammad Mostafa provided a valuable opportunity to review the progress made so far and assess the challenges faced in implementing activities at the workplace level. Despite the commitment of unions, violence and harassment remain difficult topics to discuss openly in workplaces. Gaps between planning and execution were identified, leading to the development of new, concrete plans with clear timelines to ensure the remaining year of the project is maximized.

A key takeaway from the discussions was the consensus on the need for gender safe unions, spaces where women feel protected and supported, especially those who have experienced violence or harassment. The unions also recognized the importance of working closely with civil society organizations to build a comprehensive and effective approach to addressing GBV. With national-specific plans now in place for Tunisia, Egypt, and Iraq, the challenge ahead is to maintain open communication and sustain momentum to achieve real, lasting change.

Following the workshop, participants engaged in a seminar on the role of trade unions in combating GBV. The session welcomed PSI affiliates from Lebanon, who shared their perspectives and experiences. Gender specialists from the region presented their work in Egypt and Lebanon.  

Gender and Socio-Economic Development Specialist, Hind Haman, emphasized the global challenges affecting gender equality, pointing out the negative impact of political decisions on the Arab region. She stressed the need to defend rights through strong legislation, particularly in the face of regressive policies. She highlighted key issues such as the lack of women in decision-making roles and the urgent need for transformative leadership, where both women and men play an active role in creating a more equitable environment.

Mai Saleh, Gender and Institutional Support Consultant from Egypt, reinforced that gender-based violence and harassment are major barriers to women’s participation in the labour market. In Egypt, unions have already begun working on ILO Convention 190, been though it has not been ratified, identifying gaps in national legislation. Recognizing the challenges of government ratification, unions and CSOs are proactively developing codes of conduct and workplace policies to ensure protection mechanisms are in place even before legal ratification.

A key insight shared was that violence is often linked to economic insecurity—many women remain in abusive situations due to financial dependence. Addressing GBV requires a collective effort, with trade unions playing a pioneering role in advocating for stronger protections, reporting mechanisms, and legal reforms. It was also emphasized that governments bear the ultimate responsibility, as gender-based violence constitutes a violation of fundamental human rights. Discussions also focused on how trade unions can establish complaint mechanisms, participate in policy dialogue, and secure resources to continue their work.

Nisrine Chahine, a labour activist, presented her study on Lebanon’s legal framework that provided an in-depth analysis of how existing laws compare to ILO C190. The findings revealed that while some laws address violence against women, none specifically focus on workplace violence and harassment. Sanctions exist, but preventative measures and awareness campaigns are lacking. This highlights the urgent need for unions and women’s organizations to collaborate on coordinated advocacy efforts.

With Lebanon’s 2026 elections on the horizon, the unions see this as a strategic opportunity to push for stronger laws and engage politicians to champion these reforms in parliament. Beyond national efforts, unions can also play a monitoring role in international reports, ensuring that governments remain accountable for their commitments to gender equality—whether through Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) reports, UNCSW submissions, or Beijing Declaration reviews.

Key priorities identified during the seminar, apart from advocating for legal reforms and ratification of ILO C190, included expanding transformative leadership and ensuring there are more women in decision-making roles while engaging men as allies, while building partnerships with CSOs and lobbying women parliamentarians, and ministries for gender equality. Also there is a need to leverage media and social platforms to amplify women’s voices and increase public awareness.

The workshop was a reminder that addressing gender-based violence requires sustained commitment, cross-border collaboration, and a multi-stakeholder approach. With unions working together, there is a strong foundation to push for policy change, ensure workplace protections, and create safer environments for women. Strengthening union commitment, openness and mechanisms to address GBV is a vital first step, including complaint systems and awareness programs. Participants agreed that the responsibility to end gender-based violence does not rest on women alone—it is a collective duty of society, and trade unions are at the forefront of this fight.