By Own Correspondent

ZIMBABWE Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has called on authorities to declare Women's day a public holiday amid a list containing pertinent issues which urgently need to be resolved on behalf of youths and women in the country.

Speaking on the development as part of the keynote address to mark the 2022 edition of Women’s Day, ZCTU president Florence Taruvinga said the federation’s Women’s Committee, on behalf of the working Women in Zimbabwe, demanded a raft of measures to be implemented on behalf of women.

“We are demanding the dignity, respect and enforcement of women’s rights and the need to declare the International Women’s Day a public holiday. Government must also ratify and domesticate the International Labour Organisation Convention 190 on Violence and Harassment in the World of Work as well as enforce a zero tolerance to Gender Based Violence and Sexual Harassment at Work,” she said.

The ZCTU leader called for a strong, comprehensive law on sexual harassment and gender based violence, national awareness and rehabilitation programs for abused women and girls as well as free sanitary ware for women and girls.

“We are also demanding one day off per month for all women during menstruation period, respect and enforcement of Human and Trade Union Rights; compulsory formulation of workplace policies on violence and harassment.

“Going forward salaries and wages have to be paid in US$ on the back of the resuscitation of industries and the economy; control and reduction of prices of basic commodities; paternity leave for our male counter parts and free testing and treatment for all types of Cancers,” she said.

Taruvinga also called for the payment of Covid19 allowances and protective equipment for all workers as well as equal opportunities and treatment especially in situations of disasters and pandemics among other demands.

The ZCTU’s celebrations for the International Women’s Day  (IWD) was celebrated as part of the global community, under the Theme: “Empower, Elevate and Respect Women for A Sustainable Future : #BreakTheBias”.

Apart from gender equality, the day is dedicated to human rights organisations and to women’s rights movements bringing attention to issues such as violence and abuse against women and awareness on their reproductive health rights.

The day is also observed to honour women’s cultural, political, and socio-economic accomplishments.