G20 Summit open letter - Impact on women

On the eve of the G20 summit, we urge world leaders to commit to addressing the disproportionate impact of the financial crisis and global recession on women, in both rich and poor countries.

Without concrete action millions of women will fall into poverty and millions more will see their hard-won rights and legal protections eroded.

The evidence from past crises is clear, women will endure an unequal share of the economic pain. In many countries women are already bearing the brunt of job losses, juggling to balance diminished household budgets and losing the support systems that make their lives possible. Moreover, when times are hard, violence against women increases in rich and poor countries alike.

It is essential that G20 governments address the particular social as well as economic hardships which recession brings for women. Funding for social protection and fiscal stimulus should be made to work for women, and to safeguard and promote their rights.

Women's rights cannot be seen as an optional extra, for the good times only. If a better world is to come out of this crisis it must be built on the foundations of rights and equality for all people. Not only is this morally right - it makes good economic sense as we move along the road to recovery to a new, fairer, economy.

This is a central message of the Put People First mobilisation on March 28^th in London and we urge everyone to join us at the march.

This open letter was signed by Frances O'Grady, TUC Deputy General Secretary along with some other Put People First supporting organisations