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Article

24 Oct 2017

Author:
Felogene Anumo, Association for Women’s Rights in Development (AWID), on OpenDemocracy (UK)

Young feminists: the future belongs to us, not transnational corporations

Consolidated corporate power and corporate capture have disproportionate impacts on young women and girls. The privatisation of public services, particularly in education and health care, has increased inequalities and compromised quality, adding to the obstacles that young women, trans youth and girls face in accessing their rights. 

...The plight of young migrant workers in the garment sector is a well-known example of the disposability and commodification of women’s labour...

...Illicit financial flows (IFFs) also have a disproportionate gender impact...

...Young women human rights defenders continue to face violent attacks...

...A path to ending corporate abuses is now visible, including this week’s discussions in Geneva. But states must also address gender-specific impacts of business activities.

Feminist demands include: addressing corporate tax evasion as a violation of human rights, including women’s rights; holding corporations accountable for environmental destruction and lowered labour standards and working conditions; and respecting and protecting the work of women human rights defenders.

Young feminists must join the growing mobilisation for a binding UN treaty on transnational corporations and human rights. We have the most to gain from ending corporate impunity.

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