30-08-2017, 12:08 PM
Throughout the world, women make a vital contribution to industrial production. More than 200 million women are employed in all sectors of industry, half of this number in developing countries. Their work not only supports their families, but also contributes significantly to socio-economic progress. Most women are employed in low-skilled and low-paid jobs, where they are often exposed to health risks. On the other hand, we are seeing the advance of an increasing number of highly educated women in high-level positions for decision-making. The creativity and talent of all women are an invaluable resource, which can and should be developed both for their own self-assessment and for the benefit of society as a whole. The key to improving women's opportunities, and thus their position in industry and the economy, is to provide them with access to technical know-how, technologies and credit. Training to improve women's technological capabilities and improve their entrepreneurial and entrepreneurial skills, whether in simple craft production or in high-tech industries, is at the heart of enabling women to move towards more rewarding positions. All these activities form an integral part of UNIDO's technical assistance programs. The case studies presented in this series of brochures demonstrate that women can not only succeed in sectors where they have traditionally had a strong presence, but can also attain leadership positions in sectors previously thought to be the domain exclusive of men. They also show that technology solutions can directly benefit women by improving their living and working conditions, especially in the sectors where they tend to concentrate.
The world economy is undergoing rapid change, with significant repercussions for women. Globalization and increased competition are favoring intensive production in technology and skilled labor. Automation and advances in information technology are reducing the importance of low-skilled and high-performing occupations in sectors such as agriculture and textiles, traditionally considered as women's work. Women in industry are already at a disadvantage in many countries. Although they account for 30% of the world's industrial workforce, they tend to focus on low-level jobs, where they are underpaid, lack social services and face health risks. If their skills are not updated to enable them to fully participate in the technology-based industries of the future, women are likely to face greater disadvantages in finding and maintaining jobs. When recycling programs exist, they too often focus on men. On the other hand, when women have access to training, technology and credit, they can play a full role in economic and social development. Changes in industrial structure and production technology give women great opportunities for alleviating poverty, self-sufficiency through income generation, and productive businesses that create local employment. For women, the topic of technology is not simply to improve skills, but to acquire new and more appropriate technologies. For example, the majority of women living in rural areas use rudimentary, time-consuming technologies in their informal production activities, often in the agricultural sector. Many existing technologies also contribute to creating unsafe working environments or environmental degradation, where women are often particularly at risk (see UNIDO's pamphlet on women, industry and the environment).
The world economy is undergoing rapid change, with significant repercussions for women. Globalization and increased competition are favoring intensive production in technology and skilled labor. Automation and advances in information technology are reducing the importance of low-skilled and high-performing occupations in sectors such as agriculture and textiles, traditionally considered as women's work. Women in industry are already at a disadvantage in many countries. Although they account for 30% of the world's industrial workforce, they tend to focus on low-level jobs, where they are underpaid, lack social services and face health risks. If their skills are not updated to enable them to fully participate in the technology-based industries of the future, women are likely to face greater disadvantages in finding and maintaining jobs. When recycling programs exist, they too often focus on men. On the other hand, when women have access to training, technology and credit, they can play a full role in economic and social development. Changes in industrial structure and production technology give women great opportunities for alleviating poverty, self-sufficiency through income generation, and productive businesses that create local employment. For women, the topic of technology is not simply to improve skills, but to acquire new and more appropriate technologies. For example, the majority of women living in rural areas use rudimentary, time-consuming technologies in their informal production activities, often in the agricultural sector. Many existing technologies also contribute to creating unsafe working environments or environmental degradation, where women are often particularly at risk (see UNIDO's pamphlet on women, industry and the environment).