Strategic objective F.6. [Create a flexible work environment] [Better harmonization of work and family responsibilities for women and men]

Draft Platform for Action
F. [Inequality in women's access to and participation in the definition of economic structures and policies [and the productive process itself]] [Economic potential and independence of women] [Gender equality in economic structures, policies and all forms of productive activity]
Strategic objective F.6. [Create a flexible work environment] [Better harmonization of work and family responsibilities for women and men]

Actions to be taken

181. By Governments:

(a) [Adopt policies to extend the protection of labour and social security laws to part-time and temporary jobs and to seasonal and home-based workers, and enact laws to promote career development based on flexible work conditions;]

(b) [Ensure that full and part-time work can be freely chosen by women and men on an equal basis, and consider appropriate protection for atypical workers in terms of access to employment, working conditions, and social security;]

(c) [Enact and enforce laws that grant parental leave and parental benefits to both women and men, and promote the equitable sharing of responsibilities for the family by men and women, including through appropriate legislation, incentives and/or encouragement;]

(Alternative)

[Ensure, through appropriate legislation, incentives and/or encouragement, adequate opportunities for women and men to take parental leave and receive parental benefits;]

(d) Develop policies, inter alia, in education to change attitudes that reinforce the division of labour based on gender in order to promote the concept of shared family responsibility for work in the home, particularly in relation to children and elder care;

(e) Improve the development of, and access to, technologies that facilitate occupational as well as domestic work, encourage self- support, generate income, transform gender-prescribed roles within the productive process and enable women to move out of low-paying jobs;

(f) Examine a range of policies and programmes, including social security legislation and taxation systems, in accordance with national priorities and policies, to determine how to promote gender equality and flexibility in the way people divide their time between and derive benefits from education and training, paid employment, family responsibilities, volunteer activity and other socially useful forms of work, rest and leisure.

182. By Governments, the private sector and non-governmental organizations, trade unions and the United Nations, as appropriate:

(a) Adopt appropriate measures involving relevant governmental bodies and employers' and employees' associations so that women and men are able to take temporary leave from employment, have transferable employment and retirement benefits and make arrangements to modify work hours without sacrificing their prospects for development and advancement at work and in their careers;

(b) Design and provide educational programmes through innovative media campaigns and school and community education programmes to raise awareness on gender equality and non-stereotyped gender roles of women and men within the family; provide support services and facilities, such as on-site child care at workplaces and flexible working arrangements;

[Go to start of Document]