Alemeshet is an operator in the cutting section at one of the garment and textile factory in Ethiopia. She is one of the thousands of women worker dominating the industry. For many women like Alemeshet, the garment and textile industry provide the first ever formal job whereby women mainly from rural area migrate to industry park areas in search of a better work. The garment and textile industry employees are overwhelmingly young women (in some cases almost 90% of the factory workforce) from the rural areas. Most of the women workers are not only new to formal employment, but also to the regions or the location where they are working and living. While making up the majority of the workforce in sector, women are often underrepresented in the leadership structures and in the management of garment factories. Beyond wages, women face additional gender-specific barriers including limited access to training opportunities and childcare solutions.
The ‘Siraye’ programme on advancing decent work and inclusive industrialization is a coordinated ILO programme with an overarching development goal to see improved respect of workers’ rights leading to greater incomes and compensation, enhanced safety, equality, voice, and representation. The programme also aims to lift industrial productivity and competitiveness to enable a global competitive textile and garment sector; and encourage accountable and transparent government institutions.
The Programme is committed to promoting gender equality and women's economic empowerment in the garment industry. As such, the programme works on capacity development by providing workers and managers various training that helps bring women to leadership position.
Alemeshet is one of the participants that recently concluded the sexual harassment and prevention training provided by the programme.

“Before the training, I had very limited understanding of what constitute sexual harassment, its forms and what measures I need to take if incidents of sexual harassment occurs in and outside of work.”

For many female workers in the industry, sexual harassment incidents are often unreported in fear of losing job and facing back lash. Recognizing the need to equip workers with the right information and grievance handling mechanism, the ILO ‘Siraye’ programme launched the training on sexual harassment and prevention in registered factory. To date, over 38 factories across the the three regions in Ethiopia (Addis Ababa, Oromia and Hawassa) have registered with the Siraye programme.

“When ever I face unwelcome conduct of sexual nature, I use to think it was because of the way I dress or behave so I was ver conscious not to attract any attention” recalls Alemshet. “I am very happy I received this training. I now understand that it is not my fault and I know how to protect my self from unwelcome behavior”

In addition to providing training on sexual harassment and prevention , the ILO Siraye programme also provides training that help female worker move up the career ladder through soft skill and supervisory training.

“It is very important for female workers, especially at the operator level to receive this training as they are often exposed to various forms of sexual harassment” Alemeshet

Alemeshet is currently working as an operator and hopes to progress to a more managerial role in the future.
Read more about our programme here