Zambian Men Named Ambassadors for ILO Anti-Violence Convention
The conference aimed to enhance trade unions' understanding of feminism and its application in advancing decent work policies benefiting both women and men.
COTONOU, Benin— Two Zambian men were crowned ambassadors for an International Labour Organization convention aimed at combating workplace violence and harassment, writes Winston Mwale.
Nelson Banda, national coordinator of Men's Network for Gender and Development, and Joy Beene, general secretary of the Zambia Congress of Trade Union, received the honor Saturday at the ITUC-Africa Biennial African Trade Union's Women Conference.
The ceremony, attended by 170 participants from 50 countries, recognized the men's efforts in promoting ILO Convention 190, an international treaty adopted in 2019 to address workplace violence.
"This convention recognizes everyone's right to a work environment free from violence and harassment," Banda said. "It sets out measures for prevention and elimination of such behaviors."
Convention 190 defines workplace violence as behaviors likely to result in physical, psychological, sexual or economic harm.
Countries ratifying the convention must implement laws to prevent such incidents.
Zambia ratified Convention 190 in June 2024.
The conference aimed to enhance trade unions' understanding of feminism and its application in advancing decent work policies benefiting both women and men.
"Our goal is to foster a more equal, violence-free Africa in workplaces and communities," Beene said.