The Gender Challenge
The IYCW is a movement committed to young workers, which wants to respond to their needs and class aspirations and tries to represent all their diversity. Since 2016 in the framework of its campaign for Just Work with adequate Social Protection for all, the movement developed, among others, specific campaigns in the sector of precarious work (production chains, work in the maquilas/FTZ...), in the informal sector and the Social Solidarity and Economy.
Likewise, the IYCW has intensified the debates and actions on the gender dimension, because regardless of the situation in the different sectors of society, exploitation is still more pronounced towards women as a whole, and especially towards young women workers, whom we are reaching.
In the processes of action and organization we have carried out, we have become aware of the imbalances and inequalities that exist in society with regard to the rights of men and women, although the laws contemplate them, it is almost always "wet paper". At this point in the history of mankind, technical development and global progress in all aspects, has not been able to pass on the benefits of human development equally between men and women. Why is that?
In this issue we want to address the transversal nature of the gender dimension through an analysis of what is happening at the international level, recognizing the progress made and paying special attention to the activities and actions that the YCW movements are developing in the countries. We also collected testimonies on adult support for actions and programs in this sector.
In June 2022, the IYCW organized a webinar on the topic and this publication also makes the link to that activity. By focusing on this dimension, we want to make what is happening visible and bring elements to the debate in the society.
A celebration in memory of Joseph Cardijn in Namur
A mass was celebrated in memory of Cardinal Cardijn in the Saint-Nicholas church in Namur, Belgium, on May 8, 2022, on the initiative of former members of Catholic action movements who used the See-Judge-Act method created by the founder of the Young Christian Workers, a movement whose 100th anniversary will be celebrated in 2025 and which has branches in some fifty countries around the world and an international secretariat in Schaerbeek, Belgium.
At the request of Mgr Warin, Bishop of Namur, the mass was presided over by Fr Joseph Bayet, former JOC-F chaplain and former vicar general in Namur, assisted by Fr Jacques Hanon, IYCW collaborator, and Fr Pierre Dejardin, the parish priest.
During the service, the Philippine Leizyl Salem, treasurer of the IYCW, who was accompanied by the Brazilian Arlindo De Oliveira, in charge of the International Cardijn Association (ICA), recalled that Joseph Cardijn's parents had accepted that their eldest son study to become a priest instead of going to work in a factory, because he wanted to help young workers to find answers to their difficult living conditions, using the famous See-Judge-Act method that he proposed later on.
Quoting testimonies from members of different branches of the IYCW, the dynamic spokesperson showed how Cardijn's legacy is still relevant today and how important it is for those young people to be part of the movement which "since its foundation, has always been committed to the development and transformation of young people's lives and work."
The International YCW is proposing a new issue and a new format of its bulletin. Together with the International Cardijn Association (ICA), we want to provide you with information that summarizes our analysis as well as the actions carried out in the different countries where we have and build IYCW member movements. This new format will hopefully attract new readers and serve as a training tool for young workers and all those interested in the International YCW.
Rosa Galeano, a leader of Paraguay YCW, elaborated on how and when the YCW entered the country. She explained that the YCW is a movement that was created at the beginning of the 20th century on the initiative of a Belgian priest, Joseph Cardijn, and some young workers.
Joseph Cardijn, a Belgian priest, and a number of young working women and men were concerned by the deplorable conditions experienced in Belgium by their fellow workers in factories, spinning mills, mines and in the families living in working-class areas.
“In Paraguay, the movement arrived through Monsignor Ramón Bogarín Argaña in 1941, and from that year onwards its most important moments were until the 1970s. Then, like all social organisations, it began to fade away due to the persecutions of the dictatorship,” Rosa said.
“This is my second life. I spent a day and a night afloat more than 24 hrs. in the big sea in March 2020. I was fortunate to be discovered by the seashore of a nearby town. I am grateful to God for my second life.” - Jesus Aguilar, young fisherman
Errol Samarista, IYCW Asia-Pacific coordinator, was present as one of the resource persons in the webinar “Safety and Health is a Fundamental Right at Work”, organized by INSP!R Asia (International Network for Social Protection Rights) and ACV-CSC International, on Monday, October 25 and Tuesday, October 26, 2021.
All workers, regardless of their type of employment, formal and informal, men and women, have the right to a safe and healthy working environment, including affordable quality health care and social protection. Declaring safety and health as a fundamental right at work means that governments have to respect it, promote it, enshrine it in law and enforce it, monitoring its implementation in good faith.
The life of young workers and their rights have always received the full attention of Pope Francis. On the occasion of the IYCW International Council, Pope Francis, through the Holy See Secretary of State, sent a message of encouragement to the IYCW to continue its work for a better life for all young workers.
Holy See Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, wrote to the International YCW on behalf of Pope Francis for the movement’s postponed international council, which was finally held via Zoom last month.
“His Holiness trusts that in this time of economic and social crisis, the Council’s deliberations will reaffirm the efforts of young people to advance the Kingdom of God through the building of a more just and equitable society which leaves no one behind and which promotes respect for the fundamental rights of all, including that of safe and dignified employment,” Cardinal Parolin wrote.
“We are connected, we are one international movement and we are called to act, called to act for just work more than ever. In fact, the social contradictions, inequality, precariousness, informality and unemployment continue to grow, especially in the midst of the global Covid pandemic,” Sarah Prenger, the IYCW international president, said at the opening of the 15th International Council of the movement, calling all young workers of the world to act for change.
Sarah emphasized that with a strong and deep belief, young workers are able to act for social justice. “Social change is a shared task; you and I must act now to make change a reality.”
“With deep conviction in our hearts and minds, we must do something for change in our daily life, in our neighbourhood, in our school and in our working place,” Sarah said.
Sarah continued, “You and I must do something, we can make a difference, we can change the world. It is with this conviction, together with you, that I declare this XV International Council open. We should not be afraid of change.”
- Pope Francis to the ILO: Calls for Economic Reforms and Social Protection to be Strengthened for Every Worker to be Respected
- History is a dynamic and infinite process
- Uncertain Dreams of European Young Workers in the Shadow of the Covid-19 crisis
- CIOs Addressing the Impact of Covid-19: Young Workers, Informal Economy Workers, Migrants and Women are the Most Vulnerable
- The IYCW Stands Strong with Colombian People for Peace, Ending Human Rights Violations
- The IYCW Echoes the Workers’ Voice in ILO Conference: Act for Social Justice and Respect Everyone’s Dignity
- The IYCW called on 187 ILO Member States to Act in Solidarity for Stronger and Transformative Social Protection System
- The Impact of Covid-19 on Young Workers: an analysis by the International YCW
- JOC Europe Publishes European Parliament Votes
- IYCW at the ILO Conference: Who Profits Must Contribute to Ending Inequality and Discrimination
- IYCW at UNESCO: Invest in Strong Social Protection
- In Baudour, a small town in Wallonia (Belgium), former YCW members have kept the values of the YCW alive for over 40 years!
- Young Workers for Change Towards Decent Work and Fairer World
- 75th Anniversary of UNESCO: Youth to Take the Lead
- News from the ICA: Welcome to our New Members!
- YCW-Info 2018