The project is helping to build the capacity of women to be able to mobilise for equality, and to raise the awareness on the importance of trade unionism and their knowledge concerning national and international standards on Gender issues. The aim is to campaign for the amendments of discriminatory laws.

The main problems identified in the unions were: Low women membership in general, incapacity of women to influence their Executive Boards and have a proper policy or agenda concerning women issues, and lack of awareness among women on the importance of trade unionism.

At the External level, the following problems were identified: Unfair laws (labour laws, social security laws, taxes, civil status, law of inheritance…); non-compliance and non-application of existing laws; non-compliance with international conventions; family responsibilities; patriarchal mentalities: laws, values, customs and traditions; and lack of experience in leadership organizing and campaigning.

In response to this, in the first phase of the project, a quota of 30% of women was adopted in most of the unions involved. In 2018-2019, the project moved to helping gender mainstreaming and to ensuring the presence of women in all the trade union actions, committees and structures.

Article written by Valentine M. Moghadam for ROAR magazine:

​Women and labor: key struggles in the MENA region

Embodying the intersection of gender and class, women trade union leaders are essential to the goals of ending gender violence and promoting women empowerment.

https://roarmag.org/essays/women-trade-unionists-tunisia/

The project is helping to build the capacity of women to be able to mobilise for equality, and to raise the awareness on the importance of trade unionism and their knowledge concerning national and international standards on gender issues. By the end of 2019, the women affiliates formulated their campaigning plans, and in each country, they have chosen to campaign for the amendment of a discriminatory law.

Women national trade union leaders (General Secretaries, Presidents, members of Executive Committees, branch representatives, delegates) from PSI affiliated unions in the North Africa and Middle East sub-region. Men considered as allies, encouraging women to take leadership positions, will also benefit from this project. Finally, the project will also target young women activists.