What Changes We've Won!

Since the International Wages for Housework Campaign started in 1972 (we’re over 30!) our grassroots movement has taken our demands for recognition and payment for all the unwaged work women do to every level of government in the countries where we are based, and through the European Parliament, the United Nations, and the International Labour Organization.

We’ve pressed for money directly in women’s hands – child benefit and other allowances for mothers, welfare, childcare, paid breastfeeding breaks, pay equity, pensions, compensation . . .  Our campaigning has won laws to measure and value unwaged work, government resolutions, declarations of support, time use surveys and estimates of the value of unwaged work – $11 trillion a year according to the United Nations!  We have fought for women in different countries and situations to benefit from the national and international decisions that we have wonmaking sure that every victory makes women count everywhere!  Women have been able to use these decisions to fight for inheritance and land rights, free healthcare and other resources.

To find out more read on:
Article 88 of the Venezuelan Constitution

United Nations decisions: 
Fahnbulleh: 'An Offer We Couldn't Refuse' account of 1975 - 1985 UN Decade for Women
UN Decade for Women – summary of resolutions

Women win right to paid nursing breaks in the ILO Maternity Protection Convention 2000

Winning Legislation

How much are women worth?

Money and other recognition of unwaged work

Census

Changing the climate of opinion

Pay Equity and Union Support: go to www.payequity.net 

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